New Zealand’s largest infrastructure project has reached another important milestone. Bulk excavation work for the City Rail Link (CRL) cut and cover rail tunnels under Albert Street in downtown Auckland has begun. Continue →

The Auckland Council Housing Taskforce Report is a huge leap forward to enable more homes to be built in Auckland, believes Property Council Chief Executive Connal Townsend. Continue →

Auckland’s Ngati Whatua Orakei Trust is keen to buy the city’s port, which has been valued at $1.1 billion Trust spokesman Ngarimu Blair says it’s committed to building a consortium, which could include other iwi and a major super fund, to buy the council-owned Ports of Auckland. Continue →

The Connectus JV is constructing a bridge to maintain traffic flow over one of New Zealand’s busiest intersections while it builds two underground railway tunnels Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL) is the biggest infrastructure project in New Zealand and is taking place in a busy inner city environment full of traffic and people. Continue →

A step change in infrastructure funding and investment will be required to ensure Auckland networks can accommodate the 34,500 news homes the government has promised over the next decade, says Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Selwood “Auckland is in immediate need of housing and today’s announcement is a serious commitment to addressing prolonged undersupply,” he observes. Continue →

An earthquake of the same magnitude that hit Kaikoura in November last year would cost billions if it hit the capital directly, a new  report warns The Forgotten Impact report by international risk management consultancy Deloitte estimates the country would sustain a $29 billion hit if a similar 7.8 magnitude quake occurred directly under Wellington. Continue →

Liveability and creating healthy communities will be the focus of future cities according to international sustainability experts Katie Swenson, a US-based leader in sustainable design for low-income communities, emphasised the importance of well designed, sustainable and affordable housing. Continue →

The Productivity Commission’s new report into New Zealand’s urban planning system which highlights the need for councils in high growth areas to have access to more tools to fund infrastructure is spot on, Local Government New Zealand says The Better urban planning report commissioned by the government aimed to set out what a high-performing urban planning system would look like. Continue →

The Productivity Commission’s report identifies many of the key issues confronting urban development, says Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Selwood “However, its recommendations fail to align planning, local government decision making powers and funding”, he maintains. Continue →

Auckland in the 1990s was a very different city, Property Council New Zealand Chief Executive Connal Townsend recalls It saw itself as something it was not, at least not yet.   Continue →

Artificial intelligence, driverless cars, the shared economy and climate change are disrupting the future of New Zealand cities, according to internationally renowned planning experts The challenge for local authorities and citizens is adapting to these advancements, claim urban futurist and former Lord Mayor of Adelaide Stephen Yarwood, and highly respected landscape architect Professor Elizabeth Mossop. Continue →

Wellington’s mayor Justin Lester welcomes the announcement from the government of a $3 million fund to assist Wellington building owners to secure unreinforced masonry on their buildings and says it will go a long way to keeping people safe in future earthquakes. Continue →