NZ Infrastructure Pipeline Reaches 12,000 Projects Worth $275 Billion

Bishop emphasised that high-quality planning requires equally high-quality data. “Good infrastructure planning relies on good information.

New Zealand’s infrastructure landscape is undergoing rapid expansion, with the latest quarterly update from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission revealing nearly 12,000 active and planned projects across the country. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says the updated National Infrastructure Pipeline—valued at $275 billion—demonstrates growing momentum and improved visibility across central government, local government and private-sector investment.

A More Comprehensive Picture of National Infrastructure

The Pipeline provides an independent national view of current and future infrastructure activity, covering sectors such as transport, water services, education, health, housing, energy, waste management, and telecommunications. By consolidating data from 129 infrastructure providers as of September, the Pipeline now reflects one of the most complete assessments to date.

Bishop emphasised that high-quality planning requires equally high-quality data. “Good infrastructure planning relies on good information. The more comprehensive the Pipeline becomes, the more value it delivers—helping to grow the economy, support jobs, and lift productivity across New Zealand,” he said.

The latest snapshot reveals a substantial rise in both project volume and financial scale, with the total value jumping from $237 billion in June to $275 billion in the September update. This increase reflects improved reporting, new project entries, and more detailed cost information from infrastructure providers.

Funding Confidence Strengthens Sector Stability

A key highlight from the update is the significant increase in initiatives that have secured full or partial funding. The Pipeline now records $181 billion worth of projects with confirmed funding sources—an increase of $56 billion since June.

“This lift is great news for the construction sector and the wider economy,” Bishop noted. “A stronger, clearer picture of funded work gives the sector the confidence to plan ahead, retain staff, and invest in capability.”

For a sector often challenged by uncertainty, cost escalation, tight labour markets, and shifting policy settings, visibility of long-term funded workstreams is essential. The updated Pipeline supports strategic workforce development, capital investment planning, and risk management across both public and private infrastructure providers.

Construction Activity Continues to Ramp Up

The September data shows that $61 billion of infrastructure projects were already under construction by the end of the third quarter. A further $20 billion worth of projects are in late planning stages and scheduled to begin construction within the next 12 months. These figures point to strong forward momentum across major sectors, with transport and water still representing some of the largest investment categories.

The Pipeline also captures early-stage, unfunded initiatives, which Bishop says are equally important. By identifying future demand and revealing potential bottlenecks early, the Pipeline helps councils, contractors, and central agencies prepare for the next wave of investment. “A more complete Pipeline is better for everyone,” Bishop said. “These early-stage initiatives help signal future demand, highlight market constraints and opportunities, and support workforce planning.”

Informing the National Infrastructure Plan

The September update plays an essential role in shaping the final stages of the upcoming National Infrastructure Plan, which will provide forward guidance on sustainable long-term investment. The Plan will highlight both committed projects and large-scale unfunded initiatives seeking support, helping decision-makers prioritise long-term needs and strengthen sector stability.

Bishop acknowledged that while the Pipeline is moving closer to a fully representative picture of New Zealand’s infrastructure ecosystem, further improvements in reporting and data quality remain important. “There is still room for improvement,” he said, noting the importance of ongoing collaboration between agencies, councils, and industry.

Driving Productivity and Economic Growth

New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit has long been highlighted as a barrier to economic performance, housing supply, climate resilience, and regional development. The growing Pipeline indicates that the country is taking significant steps toward addressing those challenges. With clearer visibility of future work, contractors are better positioned to invest in machinery, training, and recruitment—strengthening local capability and supporting thousands of jobs nationwide.

The updated Pipeline reinforces the government’s intention to create a more transparent, predictable, and strategically aligned infrastructure system—one that supports national productivity, regional development, and long-term economic growth.

For full details, the latest Pipeline snapshot is available on the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission’s website.