He Whakakaupapa mō Te Hanganga o Aotearoa: The Infrastructure Action Plan 2023

Foreword#

This is a pivotal time for New Zealand infrastructure as we take the next steps in the development of the Infrastructure Action Plan. The Action Plan builds on the Government’s Response to Rautaki Hanganga o Aotearoa, the New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy by setting out what the Government is doing, and will do, to address the challenges and opportunities set out in the Strategy.

There are significant challenges ahead. A growing population is increasing demand for housing, transport, schools, hospitals, and other essential services. We not only need to build more and better infrastructure, but we need to prepare to mitigate the impacts of climate change on our built environment. Cyclone Gabrielle has presented us with an earlier-than-expected challenge to rebuild and strengthen infrastructure after demonstrating what can happen if we don’t.

This Government has taken significant steps to address such infrastructure challenges. Over the last five years we have boosted investment in housing, transport, and social infrastructure.

As the Strategy points out, we must also be smarter about the way we plan, deliver, maintain, and use infrastructure if we are to meet an infrastructure deficit that has been many decades in the making.

The Infrastructure Action Plan confirms the Government’s commitment to the transformation required to create the efficient, equitable, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure system New Zealanders need now and into the future.

As we work to improve the infrastructure system, we know Government can’t solve these issues alone. There are opportunities for Government to strengthen partnerships with crucial players in the infrastructure space, including Māori, local government, and the private sector. We can take advantage of better tools and information to make decisions about when and where to invest, and we must continue to support the development of the skilled workers required to deliver the infrastructure we need to build, as well as rebuild.   

The Infrastructure Action Plan sets out the significant work programme in response to the challenges and opportunities set out in the Strategy. Most of the actions identified are already underway, with many more due to begin in the next several months. More than half are expected to be complete in the next three years. Our investments through Budget 2023 support the implementation of the Infrastructure Action Plan as we both build back better from recent weather events and focus on supporting medium- to long-term infrastructure investments.  

We look forward to continuing this important work that will lay the foundations for the future and shape our infrastructure for generations to come.

Hon Dr Megan Woods
Minister for Infrastructure