Latest news with #InfrastructureNewZealand
Scoop
24-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
National Infrastructure Plan A Chance For Generational Change
'This is a once-in-a-generation chance to make big changes to our infrastructure system - let's grab it and not miss this opportunity,' says Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett in response to the release of the draft National Infrastructure Plan. 'The draft Plan is a clear-eyed assessment of the infrastructure challenges facing New Zealand, our historic underperformance and provides a solid pathway for improvement, particularly from our government agencies.' 'It rightly recognises that Aotearoa spends a lot on infrastructure, among the top 10 percent of OECD countries as a share of GDP, but we get one of the lowest returns. That's simply not a sustainable situation when we look at the future demographic, geographic and resilience challenges confronting us.' 'The Plan, at its heart, prioritises getting better outcomes from every infrastructure dollar, and includes a call to action when it comes to improving how we manage the assets we already have,' Leggett says. 'It reinforces the message that we need to do much better on the basics and provides an opportunity to make the changes required.' 'The reality is if we don't face up to this now there will be real pain for our future generations. It's important that both the sector, our businesses and communities participate in this consultation because the issues identified, and the changes recommended, will impact us all.' Infrastructure New Zealand particularly supports the emphasis on: The prioritisation of asset management to protect existing infrastructure and ensure it delivers what New Zealanders expect from it. Reducing regulatory hurdles and simplifying planning to make it easier for infrastructure providers. Building confidence within the infrastructure sector through a steady project pipeline that allows providers to invest in workforce capability and capacity. 'What the infrastructure sector needs over the long-term is policy and political stability to plan, deliver and manage infrastructure efficiently,' Leggett says. 'Investors, councils and contractors alike need consistent signals from Government as well as opposition political parties. Policy certainty builds confidence, which leads to effective planning, more efficient procurement and better value for money.' 'We are encouraged that the draft Plan also presents a New Zealand-specific framework for infrastructure planning that takes into account the country's unique characteristics.' 'New Zealand needs solutions that are tailored to our context – our small widely-dispersed population, our terrain and our exposure to natural hazards,' says Leggett. 'We also need a shared national vision to guide investment decisions and create a long-term infrastructure pipeline that endures across election cycles.' Just this week Infrastructure New Zealand released a report looking at how foreign direct investment is already helping us deliver world-leading mobile tower infrastructure quickly, innovatively and at scale. 'The experience of Connexa shows that if we are open new ways of doing things, including greater use of private funding and financing and developing a solid forward pipeline, we do have the ability to deliver critical infrastructure that supports our communities and economy.'
Scoop
24-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
How Foreign Direct Investment Is Helping Deliver World Leading Infrastructure In NZ
Foreign direct investment is helping deliver world-class mobile telecommunications infrastructure for New Zealanders, and the approach could unlock major gains across the rest of our infrastructure sector, says a new report by Infrastructure New Zealand and Connexa. 'We constantly talk about reaching an infrastructure nirvana with modern assets providing world-class services and economic and social opportunities for Kiwis,' says Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett. 'The good news is there are people already doing it using innovative delivery methods, components and pipeline certainty.' 'Connexa is a compelling example of how foreign direct investment, enabled by long-term thinking and a committed pipeline, can deliver nation-building infrastructure vital to the lives of New Zealanders. We just have to learn from them; the public good opportunity is huge.' 'Infrastructure development is sometimes thought about in old-fashioned terms, with slow-moving projects and eye-wateringly long timeframes,' says Connexa Chief Executive Rob Berrill. 'But with the right people and partners in place, critical community infrastructure can be delivered at pace and to a world-class standard.' 'Having a start-up mindset, combined with a committed pipeline of projects and experienced investors with a long-term vision, has enabled Connexa to deliver infrastructure in new and better ways.' 'The benefit of being a new company is that we started with a blank canvas and have been able to define our own culture, the way we work, and the kind of people we want to help take us on that journey.' Connexa is New Zealand's largest mobile tower infrastructure company (TowerCo). In February, Spark sold its remaining holding in the company to Canadian global investment group La Caisse, who along with Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan are now co-controlling shareholders, each with a 50% equity stake in Connexa. Titled Delivering Next Generation Infrastructure, the report outlines how Connexa has grown rapidly since 2022 to manage more than 2,500 tower sites, with another 800 new mobile towers planned over the next eight years. The report delivers seven insights that underpin Connexa's success, from the international investment model, forward pipeline and modular design to new approaches to workforce culture and delivery. 'The Connexa experience shows that if we want the best possible infrastructure for our people to earn, learn and lead productive lives we must be open to the benefits of foreign direct investment and willing to embark on new ways of funding, planning and delivering projects,' says Leggett. 'We now must learn to adapt this model to other sectors of our economy - and the wider way we plan, fund, procure and build the infrastructure we need.' Delivering Next Generation Infrastructure: How global investment and local innovation are shaping Aotearoa's digital future – the Connexa story is available here.
Scoop
07-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Manawatū Tararua Highway Should Open As A Toll Road
Press Release – Infrastructure New Zealand New infrastructure such as the Manawat Tararua Highway comes with significant ongoing costs. Choosing not to use tolling doesnt make those costs disappear, it simply shifts the burden onto all New Zealand road users, including those who … The opening of Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway is a significant milestone for the lower North Island, with safety and travel times both set to improve. However, the decision not to toll the route is disappointing, says Infrastructure New Zealand. 'Not tolling the Manawatū Tararua Highway is a missed opportunity to help fund the ongoing maintenance and future resilience of this critical transport route through a 'user pays' approach,' says Chief Executive Nick Leggett. 'Tolling a new highway isn't about penalising the users of that road or the communities in the area. It's about being honest about the ongoing costs required to ensure the responsible management of the asset and ensuring that those who benefit from the road are making a direct contribution to its delivery and maintenance.' 'New Zealand's problem is that nobody thinks about maintaining a new road when it's nice and new, other than those who are responsible for building it. Those people don't control the money, though.' 'New infrastructure such as the Manawatū Tararua Highway comes with significant ongoing costs. Choosing not to use tolling doesn't make those costs disappear, it simply shifts the burden onto all New Zealand road users, including those who will never use the road,' Leggett says. 'If we want high-quality, modern infrastructure that is well maintained and resilient, we need to be smarter in how we manage and fund it. Having an annual amount of money generated from the road, means that New Zealanders can transparently follow that the money goes back into maintaining the road which generates it.' 'Tolling is one of the few tools we have that can directly link use with funding. It also helps protect the sustainability of the National Land Transport Fund so further investments can be made in critical transport projects into the future.' 'We need to be more inventive with how we fund and maintain infrastructure. Nothing should get off the ground without pricing road usage properly,' Leggett says. 'If New Zealand wants better infrastructure, it's going to need to do things differently at every stage of design, build and operations. That includes funding through tolls.'
Scoop
07-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Manawatū Tararua Highway Should Open As A Toll Road
The opening of Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway is a significant milestone for the lower North Island, with safety and travel times both set to improve. However, the decision not to toll the route is disappointing, says Infrastructure New Zealand. 'Not tolling the Manawatū Tararua Highway is a missed opportunity to help fund the ongoing maintenance and future resilience of this critical transport route through a 'user pays' approach,' says Chief Executive Nick Leggett. 'Tolling a new highway isn't about penalising the users of that road or the communities in the area. It's about being honest about the ongoing costs required to ensure the responsible management of the asset and ensuring that those who benefit from the road are making a direct contribution to its delivery and maintenance.' 'New Zealand's problem is that nobody thinks about maintaining a new road when it's nice and new, other than those who are responsible for building it. Those people don't control the money, though.' 'New infrastructure such as the Manawatū Tararua Highway comes with significant ongoing costs. Choosing not to use tolling doesn't make those costs disappear, it simply shifts the burden onto all New Zealand road users, including those who will never use the road,' Leggett says. 'If we want high-quality, modern infrastructure that is well maintained and resilient, we need to be smarter in how we manage and fund it. Having an annual amount of money generated from the road, means that New Zealanders can transparently follow that the money goes back into maintaining the road which generates it.' 'Tolling is one of the few tools we have that can directly link use with funding. It also helps protect the sustainability of the National Land Transport Fund so further investments can be made in critical transport projects into the future.' 'We need to be more inventive with how we fund and maintain infrastructure. Nothing should get off the ground without pricing road usage properly,' Leggett says. 'If New Zealand wants better infrastructure, it's going to need to do things differently at every stage of design, build and operations. That includes funding through tolls.'
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Infrastructure NZ Backs NPS To Strengthen Infrastructure Decision-Making
Councils have finally been given the message that they need to prioritise infrastructure in all their planning and decision-making, says Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett. Infrastructure New Zealand is welcoming the release of consultation on the first National Policy Statement (NPS) for Infrastructure and the strengthening of guidance for local government as to how they can better integrate infrastructure into consenting and planning processes. 'A NPS for Infrastructure will support more coordinated decision-making across our different levels of government and help ensure that infrastructure development is more effectively considered in council planning,' Leggett says. 'It will provide essential direction for integrating infrastructure considerations into land use planning and environmental management, which is critical to making sure that development at a local level aligns with our objectives as a country.' 'This provides a level of nationwide consistency for those looking to invest and help develop our future nation-building infrastructure. It will then be up to central and local government to work together to implement these new national rules which support priorities that include delivering our growing infrastructure pipeline and the much-anticipated regional deals.' Infrastructure New Zealand particularly welcomes the changes, which will make consenting for new or expanding existing quarries easier and faster. 'Quarried aggregates are essential components in our roads and many other infrastructure constructions,' says Leggett. 'The current delays and limited local access to these materials are adding significant costs to our communities.' The new NPS for Natural Hazards is also a much-needed addition to New Zealand's consenting and planning system. 'Extreme weather events and other climate-related natural hazards are increasing in intensity and frequency, and along with Aotearoa's significant seismic risks, pose a major threat to the infrastructure we rely on,' Leggett says. 'New Zealand is ranked by Lloyd's of London as second only to Bangladesh in terms of natural disaster-related economic losses, and yet our response in terms of consenting and development planning has been left almost entirely to councils and is therefore piecemeal and inconsistent.' 'How different local government entities identify and manage risks associated with climate change, weather events and seismic activity can make a major difference to infrastructure planning and delivery. This NPS is therefore an important step towards standardising how those risks are identified and assessed, and providing a more predictable framework for future infrastructure development.'
