The strategy is the result of extensive research, analysis and public, iwi and stakeholder engagement. It incorporates feedback from more than 20,000 New Zealanders through our Aotearoa 2050 survey. We have used this research and engagement to understand New Zealand’s infrastructure sectors and the challenges and opportunities they face. The strategy responds to these challenges and includes 68 recommendations for change. The Government has responded to each recommendation in the strategy.

Why does New Zealand need an infrastructure strategy?

New Zealand faces many infrastructure challenges. We must act now with urgency to address them. Long-term trends such as climate change will have significant impacts on many parts of our infrastructure system. Our population is increasing and changing, and this will affect the quantity and quality of the infrastructure we need. And construction costs have been increasing, placing pressure on infrastructure budgets.

Infrastructure is about choices. We have choices in how we address the infrastructure challenges, but these involve making trade-offs. It's not enough to simply keep doing what we’ve always done if we want to keep up with our expectations for life in New Zealand. While we’ll need to invest and build more, this will only be one part of the solution. We can also be smarter in how we plan, deliver and use our infrastructure.

Rautaki Hanganga o Aotearoa is an opportunity to overcome these challenges by taking a new approach to planning, delivering, maintaining, funding and financing infrastructure. There is a lot to be done and the changes require an all-of-government approach. This means working with local government, Māori and the private sector.

What’s next

New Zealand has significant infrastructure challenges that require immediate and sustained attention.

In the coming months, the Government will develop an action plan and reporting programme that will set out the next steps for the recommendations that it supports.

Te Waihanga will closely track progress on all recommendations and provide regular updates to the Government.

The conversation has just begun. This strategy is a living document that we will update every five years. Te Waihanga will continue to engage with New Zealanders on the strategy’s recommendations and how infrastructure can make New Zealand a better place for all.

Who we are

Rautaki Hanganga o Aotearoa is developed by the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga.

Te Waihanga seeks to transform infrastructure for all New Zealanders. By doing so, our goal is to lift the economic performance of Aotearoa and improve the wellbeing of all New Zealanders.