19 Jun 2026
Engineering New Zealand welcomes the Government’s response to the National Infrastructure Plan, which backs 13 of the plan’s 16 recommendations, while agreeing in principle to the other three. Support for the plan from both Labour and the Green Party is particularly encouraging.
Engineering New Zealand has long advocated that infrastructure planning works best when it extends beyond electoral cycles, so broad political backing is an important development for more consistent decision-making and delivery.
For engineers, this is a positive step towards something you’ve consistently told us New Zealand needs – greater certainty around infrastructure planning and investment.
While the overall response is welcome progress, it’s disappointing that the recommendation for coordinated workforce development received only agreement in principle.
We’ve heard clearly from you and others in the sector that New Zealand desperately needs better planning around workforce development to ensure we have the skills to deliver the infrastructure we need. We will advocate to ensure progress is made on this recommendation and the industry is engaged in its development.
The Government has committed to a progress report on implementing the recommendations in June 2027.
In the meantime, Engineering New Zealand will continue to work with the Infrastructure Commission, other lead government agencies, and the wider sector to support the development and implementation of the National Infrastructure Plan over the next year. We’ll also keep engaging with opposition parties to highlight the importance of the plan and ensure cross-party agreement wherever possible.
Read the full government response report.
Read the National Infrastructure Plan.
Summary of recommendations and response
|
National Infrastructure Plan Recommendation |
Government Response |
What’s next |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Needs-based capital allowances |
Government Response Supported |
What’s next Treasury will provide advice on the Infrastructure Commission’s Forward Guidance –a forecast of New Zealand’s infrastructure needs over the next 30 years – and agencies’ infrastructure plans as part of the Budget 2027 process. |
|
2. Land transport funding and oversight |
Government Response Supported |
What’s next The Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) will develop proposals for reform of the land transport funding system, with support from Treasury, which will be publicly consulted on by June 2028. |
|
3. Long-term investment planning |
Government Response Supported |
What’s next Treasury is currently working on policy to require capital-intensive central government agencies to prepare and publish long-term investment and asset management plans. Legislation will be developed in 2027. |
|
4. Predictable Government funding signals |
Government Response Supported in principle |
What’s next Options to provide longer-term certainty for infrastructure funding, planning and budgeting will be included in the Minister’s report to Cabinet in June 2027. |
|
5. Multi-year budgeting |
Government Response Supported in principle |
What’s next See recommendation 4. |
|
6. Asset management performance reporting |
Government Response Supported |
What’s next See recommendation 3. |
|
7. System-wide assurance |
Government Response Supported |
What’s next Treasury is working on options for the Investment Decision Assurance process – a formal “quality check” system for major public investments before money is committed. The Commission takes responsibility for infrastructure decisions in November 2026. The Commission will also take responsibility for reviewing agency asset management and investment plans from July 2027. |
|
8. Asset management assurance |
Government Response Supported |
What’s next See recommendation 7. |
|
9. Investment readiness assurance |
Government Response Supported |
What’s next See recommendation 7. |
|
10. Project information coordination |
Government Response Supported |
What’s next Initial changes to improve the data that informs the National Infrastructure Pipeline will be operational by June 2027. The Commission will develop options to further improve the National Infrastructure Pipeline through legislation by June 2027. |
|
11. Stable resource management framework |
Government Response Supported |
What’s next Select Committee will report back on the Planning and Environment Bills by 26 June 2026. The Government has committed to passing these Bills in this parliamentary term. |
|
12. Integrated spatial planning |
Government Response Supported |
What’s next See recommendation 11. |
|
13. Optimised infrastructure use |
Government Response Supported |
What’s next See recommendation 11. |
|
14. Accelerated electricity investment |
Government Response Supported |
What’s next A range of changes have been announced to accelerate electricity investment. Most of these policies will have consultation within 2026 with the aim to be implemented by the end of 2027. |
|
15. Coordinated workforce development |
Government Response Supported in principle |
What’s next MBIE will spend the next 12 months considering how government and industry can better coordinate planning for the future infrastructure workforce. |
|
16. Public sector project leadership |
Government Response Supported |
What’s next Actions to improve public sector project leadership will happen over the next 12 months. This includes developing a professional standard for public sector leadership, creating a voluntary cross-agency directory of Senior Responsible Owners and exploring options for infrastructure projects to include funding for capability development. |
