Infrastructure New Zealand

Last week, our CE Nick Leggett talked to Alexia Russell of RNZ’s The Detail podcast on the Government’s recent announcements regarding the new National Infrastructure Agency, the Infrastructure Commission’s refined role and the critical importance of achieving political consensus when it comes to improving New Zealand’s infrastructure planning and delivery system. “There isn’t a Labour or a National way to build infrastructure, there’s just a proper, and consistent way.”   You can listen to the full podcast here: https://lnkd.in/gzY3zYRm. You can also read a summary of the podcast and Nick’s comments at https://lnkd.in/g9mX5dEB   Thanks to Alexia and the teams at RNZ and Newsroom.

Infrastructure New Zealand, in partnership with the Women's Infrastructure Network NZ - Northland Chapter, is pleased to invite you to a critical discussion on climate resilience and the recent recovery response in Northland. This event will take place on Wednesday 25 September at 5:30 PM, sponsored by Stellar Projects Ltd and supported by Whangarei District Council.   As climate change continues to drive an increase in severe weather events across New Zealand, this panel discussion will focus on the impacts of the February 2023 weather events on Northland’s State Highway network. We will delve into the works required to restore connectivity in the region and explore the lessons learned to better prepare for and respond to future events. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gJ_KyjYU This event is complimentary for Infrastructure New Zealand (INZ) members and Women's Infrastructure Network (WIN) members. If you are unsure whether you are a part of a member organisation - you can check our member directory here: check our member directory here. For those who are not members of INZ or WIN, we warmly invite you to join us at this event. You can purchase tickets for this event for NZD$49+GST.

Following lunch, Building Nations attendees broke into concurrent sessions.   Getting the Model Right for NZ’s Future began with a panel discussion on the learnings from INZ’s 2024 international delegations, exploring experiences from similar sized nations; Ireland, Northern Ireland, Denmark and the UK. The panel was facilitated by our Advocacy and Strategy Lead Martina Moroney and included delegation participants Mair Brooks of KPMG, Jennifer Caldwell, Buddle Findlay, Angela Harford of Bell Gully, Aurecon’s Ceinwen McNeil (she/her) and Christine Jones from Tauranga City Council.   The second panel discussed the next steps for water, the process for Local Water Done Well and what it means for the sector and the community. Russell McVeagh’s Anna Crosbie chaired this panel with Taumata Arowai’s Allan Prangnell, Babbage's Khareedi Suman Kumar and DIAs Hamiora James Bowkett.   Hon Barbara Edmonds, Labour Spokesperson for Infrastructure, addressed the transformative potential of infrastructure, the importance of climate considerations and the damage of political ‘flip-flopping’. Barbara reiterated her Leader’s support for the new NIA and a more far-reaching national pipeline. Labour is open to considering PPPs where they make sense for them.   The Building Social Licence stream started with Peter Reidy, CE of KiwiRail, outlining the critical role that rail plays with a view of the infrastructure investment and operations that sit below the media headlines. The importance of the customers and meeting their requirements, and infrastructure as an enabler.   Grant Hodges, WSP, convened a panel with NZTA’s Robyn Elston, AT’s Mark Lambert, Infrastructure Commission’s Nadine Dodge and Anne Bardsley from Koi Tū on time of use charging. Successful and unsuccessful schemes internationally provide food for thought as we start to put the building blocks in place for the first NZ scheme.   Thomas Hale from Warren and Mahoney, and his panel of Simon Light of GHD and Mark Fraser from Kāinga Ora highlighted the opportunity for infrastructure to be more than the basics, to go beyond the brief, and be a real enabler of communities.   Back in plenary, Fulton Hogan’s Chloe Williams introduced Harvard University’s Professor of Economics Ed Glaeser to discuss the evolution of cities and the role of innovation and data in measuring growth.   The final session was left to Simon Court, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Infrastructure. Simon discussed a NPS for infrastructure and how that can contribute to improving our system, market-led proposals and value capture tools. A more flexible PPP framework is being worked on that delivers infrastructure faster while maximising value for money over the lifetime of an asset and includes better risk allocation models, tendering and collaboration with the private sector.   …and that wraps up Building Nations for 2024. We want to thank all our speakers, sponsors, organisers and MC’s. We wish everyone a safe trip home.

We are back and underway on day 2 of Building Nations 2024.   Following our Chair Tracey Ryan’s opening address, outgoing CRL CE Sean Sweeney was presented with a Patu Taonga in well-deserved recognition of his service to infrastructure in NZ.   Minister of Transport Hon Simeon Brown outlined his plans, expectations and the GPS on Transport. He also worked through the Government’s new Revenue Action Plan in transport including more details on user pays provisions, and the connection between what people get and what they pay for.   In his typically direct manner, Mayor of Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown set out his relentless focus on value for money, fixing a broken system, getting Auckland moving and taking back control of CCOs. He described his transport plans as a back-to-basics approach and outlined issues in building rules and gaining greater regulatory efficiency.   Aurecon’s Lauren Jewell and Tuhi Isaachsen presented on how the main principles of major investment programmes in Australia and Europe, including having a national vision and the economic and social outcomes, could be applied to Aotearoa and developing infrastructure at scale.   Following morning tea, the conference was again split into concurrent streams.   The Designing a System that Delivers stream began with our CE Nick Leggett interviewing former UK Deputy PM Rt Hon Lord Michael Heseltine and his experience amid the devolutionary experience in the UK, and the partnership approach between central government and regional authorities to achieve that.   The Arup panel led by Mayurie Gunatilaka and including Andre Noonan from Acciona, Dexus’ Scott Markwick and ANZs Hannah Crosby, explored the opportunities and conditions for private investment and collaboration in New Zealand’s infrastructure.   Labour Leader Rt Hon Chris Hipkins addressed the Government’s call for political bipartisanship (acknowledging our historical political short-termism) with a mixture of support in smoothing the politics out and scepticism based on the new Government’s record. Encouragingly, Hipkins committed support to the future role of the Infrastructure Commission and the new National Infrastructure Agency.   Driving Productivity Uplift was the other stream and started with Oracle’s Rogier Roelvink detailing how applying technology and data-driven decision-making, similar to Formula 1, can be applied in the development of infrastructure projects.   Following this a panel discussion facilitated by Damian Pedreschi from Ventia and featuring IPWEA’s David Jenkins, Fulton Hogan’s Simon Dyne, Vanessa Browne of NZTA and Transpower’s Mark Ryall looked at how the sector can best design, construct and manage for the whole of life of the asset.   Finally, a panel featuring Hynds’ Stacey Millar, Jonathon Doggett of Ventia, Waihanga Ara Rau’s Erica Cumming and Fraser Wyllie of McConnell Dowell discussed ideas and challenges for how we can provide for an effective and productive workforce in infrastructure in NZ.

Outstanding Leadership and Contribution to Infrastructure Award Winner: David Carter, Beca David Carter has been a transformative leader in Aotearoa's infrastructure sector for over three decades, significantly raising the bar on sustainability, mentorship, and cultural competency. As Executive Chair of Beca since 2017, he has driven strategic vision, championed diversity, and advocated for innovative solutions that align with New Zealand's progress and wellbeing. David's leadership and mentorship have influenced peers, clients, and the industry at large, fostering an inclusive and sustainable future for the infrastructure sector. His stewardship of the next generation's success through his tertiary education sector roles and broader community involvement speaks to his dedication for the future of the industry, and of Aotearoa New Zealand. Congratulations David!

Social Impact Award Winner: The Kind Foundation for Papa Hou The Kind Foundation and Papa Hou were chosen as the winner due to the achievement of positive social outcomes for a range of communities in Ōtautahi, Christchurch. The strong leadership, meaningful partnership with iwi and the positivity of designers, contractors and Papa Hou community tenants contributed to a project and facility with heart and innovative approaches.  The judges were impressed with the focus on connected infrastructure and the clearly articulated social procurement principles which integrated community values into infrastructure design and delivery from the get go.  Congratulations!

Excellence in Innovation Award Winner: Beca for Waimarie - Lincoln University Thirteen years after the Canterbury Earthquakes, Lincoln University's campus has been revitalised, with the flagship Waimarie science facility showcasing innovative low-damage design. Initially planned with conventional structural systems, the project embraced Tectonus Resilient Slip Friction Joints (RSFJs) to enhance seismic performance while maintaining comparable costs and reducing upfront carbon by 40%. The result is a state-of-the-art, resilient building that not only meets life-safety standards but also ensures asset protection and business continuity, setting a new benchmark for seismic design. Congratulations!

Infrastructure Decarbonisation Award Winner: Lodestone Energy Limited for Lodestone Solar Farms Phase 1: Kohirā Lodestone is pioneering utility-scale solar farms in New Zealand, making them the first to adopt this innovative technology over traditional rooftop solar. Their first five solar farms are designed to generate enough renewable energy to power 50,000 homes, significantly reducing carbon emissions and offering an independent, environmentally friendly alternative to conventional electricity generation. By integrating agriculture with solar energy production and focusing on operational viability, Lodestone is setting a new standard for sustainable energy while providing more affordable and accessible renewable power to Kiwi. Congratulations!

After lunch we broke into concurrent breakout streams – Centring External Partnerships and Mitigating Climate Change.   Three panel discussions in the Centring External Partnerships canvassed the private sector funding and financing and what new PPP tools and features should NZ be looking to use. The panel on public sector procurement was a chance to examine how government becomes a better client. The following panel focused on funding the deficit both from a central and local government perspective and how different tolls such as IFF, developer contributions, value capture and uplift could be utilised.   Green Party Infrastructure Spokesperson Hon Julie Anne Genter kicked off the Mitigating Climate Change stream by presenting the spatial planning case for greater modal shift away from private car usage to public and alternative transport modes. Former Climate Change Minister and Operating Partner at Morrison Hon James Shaw set out how we can get the most of what we already have when it comes to current infrastructure assets, the opportunity presented by asset replacement and the importance of utilising the expertise of smaller organisations. Andre Noonan from Acconia, James Grant from BNZ and Laura Harris of Mafic discussed collaboration between the private and public sectors and how, if best global and local practice is applied, that can lead to better infrastructure outcomes.   Once we came back together in plenary climate resilience was the key theme. We heard from Angelique Dickson of Inogen Alliance, and Laurie Johnson and Richard Reinen-Hamill from Tonkin + Taylor on the international lessons in climate adaptation, including business interruption and costs when disaster strikes and the benefits of addressing adaptation at community scale.   Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry, the Insurance Council’s Hon Kris Faafoi, Jimmy Scott from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and MfE’s Nadeine Dommisse joined MC Jack Tame to discuss progress towards an adaptation and retreat framework for NZ, the risks from natural hazards, implication on insurance, and the conversations and centralised systems required to deal with disaster recovery.   Climate Change Minister Hon. Simon Watts briefed Building Nations on the Government’s climate strategy, its interaction with the economy and the Draft Emissions Reduction Plan. The importance of political bipartisanship in developing and implementing an enduring climate framework came through strongly. The Minister also addressed the importance of infrastructure in helping NZ meet its climate goals.   Our CE, Nick Leggett, wrapped up the day reflecting on the Government’s system announcement and how as actors in the system, it’s the job of the sector and citizenry to change things we don’t like. We may never arrive at perfect, but we should ask for better.

Building Nations continued with EY’s Tony Canavan addressing the key issue of what it takes to make real change when incremental change won’t cut it. Thinking long-term but acting in advance and with a whole of ecosystem approach is a feature of development by international infrastructure leaders such as Singapore, Sweden and Ireland. Staring down the naysayers is challenging but critical to achieving real change.   Infrastructure Minister Christopher Bishop took the opportunity in his speech to announce the establishment of the National Infrastructure Agency and talk more about the National Infrastructure Plan. This systems change is critical. The National Infrastructure Agency will act as a shop front for the private sector and those who want to bring a market-led proposal into the system. The Infrastructure Commission is to focus on the development of the 30-year infrastructure plan and Infrastructure Priorities Programme.   To be truly effective, the newly announced functions need to be accepted as a bi-partisan re-arrangement of the system. The Infrastructure Commission’s task to brief political parties every six months is a good start with that.   Geoff Cooper, Acting CEO, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga rounded out the morning session with a run down on the details of the National Infrastructure Plan and the infrastructure priorities programme. Some key takeaways were that New Zealand needs to better maintain what infrastructure assets we have already and the importance of pricing our infrastructure use so that we better value and appreciate it.   ANZ’s Chief Economist, Sharon Zollner, provided fascinating insights into the state of the economy. Her address titled, ‘The light at the end of the tunnel’ emphasised how things are looking up from a very deep hole as interest rates look to come down over the coming months. The construction sector, as one of the most sensitive to interest rates, can expect to see a slow lift. However, cost shocks in electricity prices have replaced the previous challenges in supply chains.