RMA stories
Fresh funding and planning reforms could speed up roads, water and housing delivery as New Zealand seeks to ease infrastructure bottlenecks.
Contractors still need project-by-project details, with major transport work due to wind down within 18 months and risking industry capacity gaps.
A new report says devolving housing and transport could improve delivery, while central government keeps most tax revenue and oversight.
Businesses and environmental groups say the overhaul could finally fix a dated system unable to handle growth, housing pressure and climate risks.
Poor planning is driving up housing costs and holding back productivity, according to Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Stephen Selwood.
Affordable housing will remain out of reach unless ministers back new greenfield development and broader planning reform, an expert warns.
Contractors say New Zealand’s ageing water networks need faster decisions, after ministers deferred reforms and left regulation unresolved until late 2019.
New Zealand could slash transport emissions by up to 88% by 2050 if policymakers back a faster switch to electric and renewable fuel vehicles.
Auckland faces a 50,000-home shortfall as Infrastructure New Zealand warns the urban growth plan must avoid political stand-off to work.
A cloud-based compliance platform is giving the NZ Transport Agency, Auckland Council and contractor a single live view of consents on the $709.5m motorway.
Businesses want more roads, rail and broadband investment, but most doubt the current plan will deliver the best economic outcomes.
Transport bottlenecks and planning delays are among the pressures driving calls for more infrastructure investment across New Zealand.
Up to 60,000 new homes could be built years earlier after the government backed roads and waterworks in five fast-growing councils.
New Zealand could stretch its GBP £16 billion infrastructure push further by copying Scotland’s simpler planning and delivery model, Infrastructure NZ says.
Broad agreement emerged in Wellington that cleaner waterways will require years of coordinated spending, science and shared responsibility across sectors.
Broad reform of planning and resource laws is needed to unlock growth, curb frustration and protect the environment as New Zealand expands.
Rising pollution incidents are leaving New Zealand businesses exposed to clean-up bills that can run into millions of dollars.
Communities face billions in upgrade costs as local councils seek a single framework linking freshwater standards, funding and affordability.
Auckland’s rapid growth has left New Zealand grappling with housing shortages and overloaded transport, prompting calls for a rethink on planning.
The UK Government has introduced new standards to improve connectivity and streamline processes for telecommunications facilities.
