Infrastructure makes things possible – the things we want to be able to take for granted. It supports our pathway to a strong and prosperous New Zealand. So, are we making the right decisions when it comes to providing the infrastructure that our country needs to move forward at the pace that today’s world demands?
Strong infrastructure means that people thrive – they have warm homes in which to raise their families, they can travel to education and jobs, they have clean water to drink and swim in, and they can access healthcare when required. Infrastructure is at the very core of creating an inclusive sustainable economy in New Zealand.
An enormous opportunity exists to propel New Zealand’s infrastructure forward with significant funding boosts from the Government, greater pipeline clarity and heightened interest from international investors seeking opportunities. To realise this opportunity, new thinking is required on a significant scale: how do we attract new people into the sector, provide infrastructure sustainability to meet our societal expectations and climate change challenges, improve our procurement processes and supply chain resilience, use technology and data, and consider not just the projects we build but also the legacies we create.
MinterEllisonRuddWatts sat down with some of New Zealand’s infrastructure industry leaders and key influencers to probe these challenges and explore ways to advance our country’s infrastructure ambitions. Our conversations were far-reaching, covering topics as diverse as how to involve private capital investors and what to base investment decisions on to creating a reliable pipeline, and how we might build a sustainable and skilled workforce, attracting, training and retaining the diversity of people that the infrastructure serves.
We are grateful to all of the contributors featured in this publication. Many thanks go to Alison Andrew of Transpower, Adrienne Miller at the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, Mike Pohio at Ngāi Tahu, InfraRed’s Brian Harrison, Ross Copland at the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga, Adrian Littlewood at Auckland Airport, Rosie Mercer at Ports of Auckland, Stephen Town at Te Pūkenga, and Susan Freeman-Greene of Local Government New Zealand for their time, candour and leadership in discussing the opportunities and challenges the country’s infrastructure sector needs to seize.
Sarah Sinclair, Partner and Chair
Key contacts
Speak with one of our experts.
