The 30‑year Plan, released by Te Waihanga NZ Infrastructure Commission, places clear emphasis on maintaining and renewing existing assets, improving asset management practices, and making better use of the infrastructure New Zealand already relies on. It also provides a clearer, more coordinated view of how major infrastructure investment can be prioritised and sequenced over time.
WSP Managing Director Ian Blair says the Plan sets the right direction for how infrastructure should be planned, funded and delivered over the long term.
“For a long time, we’ve been very good at building new things, but not always as good at looking after what we already have.
“We support the Plan’s clear signal that most of the infrastructure we’ll depend on in the future is already in place, and that better asset management is critical if we want it to perform well and remain affordable.”
Ian says WSP also welcomes the Plan’s broader focus on affordability, long‑term planning certainty and making better use of existing networks.
“Providing a clearer, system‑wide view of priorities will help lift confidence for decision‑makers and industry. That kind of certainty is essential if we want to deliver infrastructure more efficiently and get better value for every dollar invested.”
The Plan highlights the need to prioritise maintenance and renewals, particularly as infrastructure systems come under increasing pressure from climate change, population change and ageing assets, while also encouraging more disciplined investment decisions and smarter use of funding tools.
WSP Technical Director for Asset Management Elke Beca says this focus closely aligns with recommendations from Built to Last, the 2025 report WSP produced in partnership with the Helen Clark Foundation.
“Our report showed that underinvesting in maintenance and renewals doesn’t save money – it just pushes bigger costs and risks into the future.
“It’s encouraging to see the National Infrastructure Plan clearly acknowledge that good asset management is fundamental to resilience, affordability and long‑term outcomes.”
Ian says delivery is now the key test.
“The Plan provides a strong foundation. The challenge now is to apply these principles consistently in funding, governance and delivery, so we genuinely change how infrastructure is managed over the long term.”
