New Zealand needs new infrastructure – that much is a given. A longstanding infrastructure deficit and the need to drive economic growth and deliver social and community benefits in the wake of COVID-19 has seen an increased political focus on both 'shovel ready' and long-term projects. Plans to upgrade water infrastructure, build new energy infrastructure and housing, and improve transport networks are already in the works. This increased focus is very welcome, particularly when accompanied by a commitment to contribute significant government funds.
Click on the links in the table below to access our recent infrastructure publications.
Spotlight on Infrastructure
Access all our infrastructure publications here.
Read our series here:
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PublicationThin capitalisation settings for infrastructure – Russell McVeagh submissions
26/06/2025Our Tax team has provided submissions on Inland Revenue's recent officials' issues paper "Thin capitalisation settings for infrastructure".
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PublicationReturn of the RMA reform roundabout
25/03/2025The Government has released more details on its proposed reform of the Resource Management Act 1991 following the delivery of a blueprint from the Expert Advisory Group earlier this year. So, what will this new system look like?
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Publication
The revenge of "Blind Freddy" – how a High Court decision on Wildlife Act approvals has caused big headaches for developers and the Government
13/03/2025A recent decision of the High Court in a relatively niche area of the Wildlife Act has caused major ripples across the construction and infrastructure sectors, and will have significant impacts on the Government's broader agenda for economic growth.
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PublicationPublic Works Act amendments expected before major overhaul
10/03/2025The Government has announced plans to streamline the Public Works Act (PWA) with targeted amendments expected to take effect approximately six months before a comprehensive overhaul of the legislation.
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Publication
Fast-track Approvals Act 2024
18/12/2024The Fast-track Approvals Bill passed its third and final reading and has become law. The Fast-track Approvals Act represents one of the Government's keynote legislative moves this year.
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Publication
RMA Amendment Bill #2 - an early Christmas present for some sectors
13/12/2024The Government has released its second amendment bill this year aimed at providing "quick fixes" to the RMA while its replacement is being progressed.
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PublicationNew guidelines for market-led proposals and a new Infrastructure Funding and Financing Framework
04/12/2024We look at the Government's new guidelines for market-led proposals, recently announced by Minister for Infrastructure, Hon Chris Bishop.
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Publication
Government's plan to overhaul the RMA is here
31/10/2024Building on the Government's September announcement of the key components of its intended RMA replacement regime, last week we received further detail of the Government's proposals with the release of the cabinet paper "Replacing the Resource Management Act 1991".
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Publication
Fast-track Approvals Bill – what's changed?
21/10/2024The Environment Select Committee has released its eagerly awaited report on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill. The Bill has attracted significant public and media scrutiny, with the Committee receiving nearly 27,000 submissions in total and hearing from over 1,000 submitters.
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Publication
Out with the old, in with the new – A(nother) replacement RMA is on the way
23/09/2024The Government has announced its plan to introduce two new pieces of legislation to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991.
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Publication
The Government’s ambitious agenda for housing
08/07/2024Hon Chris Bishop, Minister of Housing, has recently announced the Government's "Going for Housing Growth" policy, which seeks to free up land for development and remove what the Minister has called unnecessary planning barriers, improve infrastructure funding and financing, and provide incentives for communities and councils to support growth.
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Publication
Fast-track consenting – less politics, more of the same?
27/08/2024Fast-track consenting is back in political headlines following yesterday's announcement that Cabinet intends to recommend changes to the Fast-Track Approvals Bill and is continuing to consider the projects that have applied to be scheduled.
