National Infrastructure Plan Tabled in Parliament, Setting 30-Year Vision for Growth

“New Zealand’s future prosperity depends on high quality infrastructure. It is central to our quality of life and to the Government’s ‘Going for Growth’ agenda,” Mr Bishop said.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop today welcomed the release of New Zealand’s first National Infrastructure Plan, tabling the landmark 30-year blueprint in Parliament and describing it as central to lifting living standards and driving long-term economic prosperity.

“New Zealand’s future prosperity depends on high quality infrastructure. It is central to our quality of life and to the Government’s ‘Going for Growth’ agenda,” Mr Bishop said.

The Plan, developed independently by the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, sets out a long-term strategy to improve how the country plans, funds, maintains, and delivers critical infrastructure — from hospitals and transport networks to water systems and flood resilience.

A 30-Year Infrastructure Roadmap and Key Election Commitment

Mr Bishop said the National Infrastructure Plan fulfils a major National Party campaign commitment made in 2023.

“Creating a 30-year plan for New Zealand’s infrastructure was a key campaign commitment… and I asked the independent New Zealand Infrastructure Commission to begin work on it shortly after we formed government,” he said.

The final Plan follows consultation on a draft released last year and identifies four broad themes for change and 10 priority actions that will shape infrastructure investment decisions over the coming decade.

Infrastructure Spending High, Efficiency Low

The Minister said the Plan provides an unvarnished assessment of New Zealand’s infrastructure challenges.

“We spend a lot on infrastructure — around 5.8% of GDP annually over the last 20 years, one of the highest in the OECD — yet we rank towards the bottom for efficiency, and fourth to last in the OECD for asset management,” Mr Bishop said.

The Commission found that many government agencies lack clear knowledge of what assets they own, how those assets are performing, and whether they have credible long-term investment plans.

The Plan also highlights fragmented assurance systems and inconsistent project oversight across government.

Government Moves Already Underway to Fix the Basics

Mr Bishop said the Government has already begun major reforms aimed at strengthening infrastructure delivery and asset management.

Key steps include:

• Strengthening the Investment Management System

• Developing long-term investment plans across agencies

• Launching a public sector asset management improvement programme

• Demanding higher quality performance and cost data from agencies

In addition, the Government has established National Infrastructure Funding and Financing to better connect private capital with public projects, alongside updated guidance for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

The transparency of the National Infrastructure Pipeline has also been improved to better inform investors and the public.

Commission Priorities Align With Current Government Action

The Minister noted that many of the Commission’s top 10 priorities for the decade ahead reflect initiatives already in progress.

Among the most significant priorities:

Health Infrastructure for an Ageing Population

Health New Zealand has now developed a long-term capital infrastructure plan, supported by record investment in hospital upgrades and maintenance.

Water Renewal Catch-Up and Affordability

The Local Water Done Well reforms are progressing, with stronger economic oversight aimed at restoring affordability and improving renewal cycles.

Road Pricing and Fleetwide Electronic Charges

Legislation enabling time-of-use charging has been passed, and the Government is working toward Electronic Road User Charges (E-RUC) across the transport fleet.

Sequencing Major Transport Projects

A Major Transport Projects Pipeline is expected soon to prioritise and coordinate large-scale investments.

Maintenance-First Asset Management Reform

Phase 1 of the Asset Management Work Programme has delivered tools and guidance to agencies, with Phase 2 targeting deeper system change.

Flood Resilience and Climate Adaptation

The Regional Infrastructure Fund has invested nearly $200 million into 74 flood resilience projects nationwide, supported by the National Adaptation Framework.

Resource Management Reform for Long-Term Certainty

The Government has introduced legislation to replace the Resource Management Act with a more enabling framework centred on spatial planning and national standards.

Upzoning Around Transport Corridors

Housing and planning reforms are focused on transport-oriented development, including around Auckland’s City Rail Link stations.

Predictable Electrification Policy

The Government aims to unlock private investment in electricity generation and transmission through stable, long-term policy settings.

Long-Term System Shifts Proposed

The Plan also recommends structural reforms to embed better long-term decision-making, including:

• Legislative requirements for long-term investment and asset management plans

• A consolidated assurance function for Ministers

• Stronger alignment between infrastructure needs assessments and fiscal strategy

Mr Bishop said the Government will carefully consider these recommendations.

“We will be studying these recommendations carefully and the Government will publish a response to the plan in June 2026,” he said.

Building Durable Political Consensus

Recognising infrastructure’s generational impact, Mr Bishop signalled cross-party engagement ahead.

“Infrastructure lasts for generations. Where we can build durable consensus, we should,” he said.

The Minister will invite Infrastructure Commission officials to brief political parties and will seek time for a special parliamentary debate on the Plan.

Turning Ambition Into Delivery

Mr Bishop concluded that the National Infrastructure Plan is a major contribution to New Zealand’s shared prosperity agenda.

“Fixing the basics and building the future of New Zealand infrastructure is central to lifting living standards and driving our prosperity,” he said.

“The National Infrastructure Plan is a great contribution… Now it is up to all of us to do the hard work required to turn ambition into delivery.”