It’s a challenge that councils across the country are working hard to solve. But we can’t solve this issue alone. That’s why LGNZ held an Infrastructure Symposium with elected members from across the country, as well as central government Ministers and infrastructure experts. We looked at problems and potential solutions, and how we can work together to solve the challenges.

First thing Friday, we heard from Peter Nunns, Director of Economics at the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission. Peter is leading the charge to lift and improve New Zealand's infrastructure, and this morning he outlined what the long-term need is for New Zealand’s infrastructure.

He notes, “getting good infrastructure outcomes is a marathon not a sprint – it’s a generational task.” We won't have all the money needed for everything we want, so the focus should be on essential ongoing work, new funding methods, and the long-term value of infrastructure. He mentioned that managing assets is both the most important and most expensive task. We've spent too little on maintenance, and we'll need to invest more to catch up; even if we only did this, it would be a significant step forward.

Next, there was a discussion with Nicole Rosie, Chief Executive of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. She talked about the government’s policy shift towards prioritising roads of national and regional importance, along with maintenance and renewals. She also mentioned the funding challenge and suggested tolls and congestion charges as possible solutions. Nicole, like Peter, emphasised the need to focus more on maintaining and improving our current infrastructure.

Funding and financing are at the core of our infrastructure challenges – bridges, roads and pipes aren’t cheap, and they’re only getting more expensive. It’s an issue that councils around the country are grappling with – so we’re diving into today with a lineup of expert panelists.

Then a panel discussion. Amelia East, Partner and Head of Advisory at APAC HKA, Sara Lindsay from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Andrew McGavin from Crown Infrastructure Partners and Leigh Kissick from Chapman Tripp talked to us about some of the funding pressures we’re facing when it comes to infrastructure – and ways to work through them.

Sara said we need to be able to right-size the funding. “We are a small country with a small population, and we need to figure out the right tools for funding.” Next, Andrew and Leigh talked about some of the pros and cons of the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act. While it’s set up well to encourage private funding, they noted that there are aspects of the act that do need to change – which have been clearly signalled by councils.

We also heard from Josh Hickford, Chief Executive of Taranaki Foundation, and Mayor Neil Holdom of New Plymouth District Council – who talked about the opportunities that can come when public, private and philanthropy combine forces.

Josh shared a local case study of Destination Play at Kāwaroa – this $6m project is one of the country's biggest, and is being led by the Taranaki Foundation in partnership with Ngāti Te Whiti, New Plymouth District Council and NP Partners. Josh says any successful project needs some key ingredients: the right story and design, the right people and leadership, relationships and partnership, and the ability to unlock philanthropy.

Next a panel discussed the huge impacts from the effects of climate change on our communities – and the infrastructure that keeps them ticking. That’s why we’re exploring how to create more resilient infrastructure after – and in anticipation of – severe weather events.

Mayors Jamie Cleine, Nigel Bowen and Rehette Stoltz, CMInstD, JP – along with Ross McLeod, Chief Executive of Hawke’s Bay Regional Recovery, and Sanchia Jacobs from Beca, our panel moderator (and MC for today) – joined us to discuss some of the lessons learned from recent extreme weather events, including Cyclone Gabrielle and Cyclone Hale.

It’s crucial to remember that building resilient infrastructure goes beyond roads, bridges and water – it also includes key areas like social and social cohesion.

Our panelists noted that after Cyclone Gabrielle, the recovery and rebuild triggered stronger advocacy with central government. Mayor Stoltz commented that the funding provisions often only allow for recovery – despite a desire to build back better – and Mayor Bowen added that recovery efforts prompt conversations we’re not having, like climate adaptation and managed retreat.

The panel highlighted the importance of taking a step back and understanding risk, as well as questioning what can wait – and what’s essential for the future.

We were also joined by Simon Dyne from Fulton Hogan, who talked to us about disaster recovery and lessons learned. His advice? Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. One of the key learnings after Cyclone Gabrielle was how important communications were – especially once lines were down. He also reflected that it’s key to assess what’s needed and to get the right gear (and people) there as quickly and safely as possible. And finally, he said having good design with local resources is key. “Think local. It makes a big difference.”

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and its impacts on communities are already being felt – so it’s a key factor to consider as a country when we think about how to future-proof our infrastructure.

After lunch on Friday afternoon, there was a great conversation about lessons we can learn from across the ditch. Cr Linda Scott (GAICD) – the President of the Australian Local Government Association – joined us online to discuss how they’re dealing with infrastructure challenges and opportunities in Australia.

In a chat with LGNZ President Mayor Sam Broughton, she noted that ALGA represents 537 local government authorities and collects only 4% of the tax take. “We’re struggling to be able to afford the things we’re doing. Over the long term, Australia local government funding is not sustainable. Securing buckets of money from the commonwealth is critical to maintain assets. We are seeing examples of councils reducing services to manage costs.”

She noted ALGA align their financial asks of with the broad themes of the central government of the day. More recently that has included $100m on emissions reduction funding.

We also heard a couple of great case studies. Paul Davidson, Chief Financial Officer of Tauranga City Council, who talked how Tauranga has used off balance sheet financing to enable Infrastructure Investment. And Denise Beazley of Wellington City Council dived into how we can improve our collective knowledge of what lies beneath our feet as part of Wellington’s subsurface journey – which is all about creating a digital map and record of all its underground infrastructure. ​She notes, “The current system is broken and all we have a role to make it work.”

Last thing Friday, we heard from Sir Bill English. He emphasised the need to consider risks when managing costs, the importance of staying focused to achieve our goals, the value of paying for expertise, the need to concentrate on solutions instead of problems, and that transparency is the best way to handle project risks.

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Kind regards,

Sean