ACT welcomes Government response to 30-year infrastructure plan

“The Government’s response to the National Infrastructure Plan is an opportunity to bring much stronger discipline to infrastructure spending," says ACT Infrastructure spokesperson Simon Court.

"The Plan advances an approach ACT has championed for years: long-term planning, disciplined investment, and building what matters first.

“A 30-year infrastructure plan was ACT policy in 2022, set out in ACT’s Solutions for Building New Zealand and Conserving Nature. ACT said New Zealand needed long-term central-local partnerships, better funding and financing tools, and a planning system that allows homes, roads, water, and energy infrastructure to be built.

“New Zealand has suffered from infrastructure decisions being made on a three-year political cycle. Projects get started, stopped, rescoped, and reannounced, while costs rise and delivery slows. A credible 30-year plan gives councils, communities, investors, and builders the certainty needed to get on with the job.

“The Government’s response is also an opportunity to bring much stronger discipline to infrastructure spending. New Zealand spends a lot on infrastructure, but taxpayers do not always get enough for it.

“When a major project blows out, the cost is paid elsewhere: regional safety upgrades, resilience works, bridge renewals, maintenance, and smaller practical improvements are pushed down the queue.

“ACT supports the Government backing the Infrastructure Commission’s recommendations, including stronger long-term investment planning, better asset management reporting, improved assurance, better project information, and a review of land transport funding.

“Requiring departments and Crown entities to publish long-term investment plans and report on asset management is especially important. Agencies need to know what they own, what condition it is in, and what investment will be required over time.

“New Zealand also needs more honest costing, stronger independent assurance before expensive decisions are locked in, and greater transparency about the trade-offs between higher-spec projects and the rest of the infrastructure pipeline.

“ACT wants New Zealand to unlock its potential by building the infrastructure needed for growth. That means investing in what matters first, protecting taxpayers, and making sure every dollar delivers as much as possible.”