Infrastructure New Zealand
1. Business / Trading Name: Infrastructure New Zealand Incorporated (commonly known as “Infrastructure New Zealand” or INZ). It was formerly called the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development (NZCID) until a rebranding in 2017. The organisation is an independent, not-for-profit industry association promoting infrastructure development.
2. Company Number: 1542207 (Incorporated Society registration number). (Note: Infrastructure New Zealand operates as an incorporated society rather than a commercial company. A similarly named entity Infrastructure NZ Limited (Company #1682749) was registered in 2005 but later removed from the companies register. The incorporated society is the primary operating entity.)
3. NZBN: 9429043120772 (Incorporated Societies Register)
4. Entity Type: Incorporated Society (Non-governmental organisation). It is a membership-based industry association registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 (now transitioning to the 2022 Act). INZ is a not-for-profit advocacy organisation rather than a company.
5. Business Classification: Industry Association / Business Advocacy Group. INZ’s activities fall under promoting infrastructure policy and networking. In official classification terms, it can be described as a business and professional association or advocacy organisation in the infrastructure sector. Its focus is on research, lobbying, and policy advocacy related to infrastructure development. (As an incorporated society, it does not have an NZSIC code like a commercial firm, but its function is analogous to a trade association or think tank.)
6. Industry Category: Infrastructure and Public Policy. INZ’s scope spans multiple infrastructure-related industries: transportation (roads, rail, ports, airports), utilities (water, energy, telecommunications), construction & engineering, finance and investment in infrastructure, and local and central government infrastructure planning. Essentially, it represents the infrastructure sector broadly, covering projects and policy in urban development, transport, water management, energy networks, and social infrastructure.
7. Year Founded: 2004. The organisation was established on 3 August 2004 as the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development. It has been active for over 20 years. (The rebranding to “Infrastructure New Zealand” took place in April 2017.)
8. Addresses:
• Registered Office / Physical Office: Level 1, 145 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand. (This is the main office as per recent records.)
• Postal Address: PO Box 105321, Auckland 1143, New Zealand (as listed in some communications).
(Note: INZ does not have multiple regional offices; it operates primarily from Auckland with nationwide outreach.)
9. Website URL:
https://infrastructure.org.nz
. (The website provides information on membership, events like the annual conference, publications, and policy submissions.)
10. LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/infrastructure-new-zealand (LinkedIn company page for Infrastructure New Zealand). (The LinkedIn page is used for updates and networking. It may also be accessible via the custom URL ‘infrastructure-new-zealand’.)
11. Company Hub NZ URL: No dedicated CompanyHub profile. (Infrastructure New Zealand is an incorporated society, so it’s not listed on CompanyHub which tracks registered companies. An unrelated listing for “Infrastructure NZ Limited” exists due to the defunct company of that name, but the society itself is not on CompanyHub.)
12. NZ Companies Office URL: https://app.businessregisters.govt.nz/sber-businesses/viewInstance/view.html?id=229a78e05307b6d8bf1b29667f00cb1763fbfe812f731ee9&_timestamp=1356178910355718 (Incorporated Societies Register)
13. Social Media URLs:
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/InfrastructureNewZealand (hosts event videos and webinars, e.g. “ReBuilding Nations” conference sessions).
14. Ultimate Holding Company: None. Infrastructure New Zealand is an independent incorporated society with no holding company. It is not owned by any parent entity – it is governed by its members and board. (It operates as a standalone non-profit association, not part of a larger corporate group.)
15. Key Shareholders: Not applicable. As a membership-based incorporated society, INZ has members rather than shareholders. Its membership includes companies and agencies across the infrastructure sector, but no equity is held. The governance is by a board elected by members, rather than shareholders. (For context, major member organisations include large infrastructure firms, banks, consultancies, and government agencies, but they are stakeholders rather than shareholders.)
16. Leadership:
• Chief Executive: Nick Leggett (appointed 2023). He is the current CEO, taking office in April 2023, and a former Mayor of Porirua.
• Chair of the Board: Tracey Ryan (appointed Chair in mid-2023). Tracey Ryan is also the New Zealand Chief Executive of Aurecon (engineering consultancy), reflecting a close tie between INZ’s leadership and industry. She succeeded Margaret Devlin, a professional director who chaired INZ until 2023.
• Board of Directors: INZ is governed by a Board of around 10 industry leaders. Notable board members (as of recent years) include: Natalie McClew (PwC Partner), Rhys Clark (Commercial Director at Tonkin + Taylor), Fraser Wyllie (Managing Director, McConnell Dowell NZ), among others. The board composition spans major engineering firms, consulting companies, and infrastructure contractors, ensuring key industry representation at the governance level.
• Founding/Notable Former CEO: Stephen Selwood, inaugural CEO (2005–2019), who led the organisation for 14 years and was the public face of INZ’s advocacy for much of its history.
17. Staff: Infrastructure New Zealand has a small secretariat staff based in Auckland. It is described as a “small, dedicated head office team” supporting the board. This team handles policy analysis, advocacy, events, and member services. Key staff roles include:
• Operations/Membership Manager: Overseeing member engagement and day-to-day operations.
• General Manager – Finance and Operations - Katrina Smith
• Policy Director - Michelle McCormick
• Events and Marketing Lead - Issy Pasley
• Policy and Communications Advisor Hannah Pickard
Overall staff numbers are modest (on the order of 5–10 staff), relying on members and committees for additional support. (Precise staff count is not published, but it’s a lean team given INZ’s NGO status.)
18. Staff that have held previous government roles: INZ has notable “revolving door” examples where staff or leaders moved between government and the organisation:
• Nick Leggett (CEO): Formerly an elected official – he was the Mayor of Porirua (2010–2016) and has been involved in national politics (previously associated with political parties). His transition from local government leadership to lobbying illustrates close ties between public officials and INZ’s advocacy role.
• Stephen Selwood (Former CEO): After leaving INZ, he was appointed by the Government as a Commissioner on the Tauranga City Council in 2021, effectively taking on a governance role in local government under central government oversight. (Prior to leading INZ, Selwood’s background was in the infrastructure sector, but his later government-appointed role underscores the crossover.)
• Phil Gurnsey (Board Member until 2022): Previously worked in central and local government on resource management and later served as a senior manager in the New Zealand Defence Force’s infrastructure strategy. His presence on INZ’s board while holding public-sector expertise exemplifies the flow of expertise between INZ and government agencies.
• Claire Edmondson (former Acting CEO, General Manager): She had a background in government policy and later joined INZ’s leadership, serving as acting CEO in 2021–2022. (She has since moved to a role at WSP and co-chairs a trans-Tasman infrastructure forum, indicating continued policy influence.)
• Margaret Devlin (Past Chair): A member of the Government’s National Infrastructure Advisory Board while also chairing INZ, providing advice to ministers on infrastructure – a direct bridge between INZ’s perspective and government policy-making forums.
These examples show how INZ’s personnel often have experience in public sector roles such as local government, Crown entities, or advisory boards, enhancing the organisation’s connectivity and insight into government operations.
19. Past Employees:
• Stephen Selwood – Former Chief Executive: Led INZ from 2005 until 2019, shaping its agenda and profile. After departing INZ, he joined the board of the newly formed Infrastructure Commission and took on other public roles.
• Paul Blair – Former Chief Executive: Succeeded Selwood in mid-2019. Paul Blair was previously a banking executive (at ANZ Bank) and brought financial sector expertise. He led INZ through 2019–2020, including advocacy during the early COVID-19 response, before departing in late 2020.
• Owen Gill – Former Interim CEO: Served as interim chief in 2021. (Gill had experience in policy and advocacy, including a background with the Financial Services sector.)
• Claire Edmondson – Former Chief Executive: Took the helm in late 2021 as CEO (after serving as GM). She was CEO through 2022, advocating on issues like Three Waters reform, then left in early 2023 to return to the private sector (WSP consultancy).
• Hamish Glenn – Former Policy Director: A key researcher and spokesperson on policy issues (authored opinion pieces on planning and private investment ). He left INZ around 2021; his expertise was influential in INZ’s reports on planning system reform.
• Sarah Lang – Former Engagement Manager: She managed the Women’s Infrastructure Network (WIN) and events. She moved on to independent consulting in the infrastructure field, continuing to champion diversity in infrastructure.
These alumni have often remained influential in the infrastructure or public policy space, indicating that INZ has been a career platform for thought leaders in infrastructure. The relatively high turnover in the CEO role from 2019–2023 (five CEOs in five years) has been noted in media, reflecting some organisational transitions, but the continuity of its mission and influence has been maintained by the broader team and board.
20. Clients: As a non-profit industry body, INZ does not have “clients” in a traditional commercial sense. Its members could be considered the closest analog to clients, as it provides services (advocacy, networking, policy updates) to them. INZ’s members include over 150 organisations from various sectors (engineering firms, construction companies, banks, utilities, government agencies, etc.). Additionally, INZ occasionally undertakes work in partnership with government or quasi-clients: for example, it might be commissioned to do research or facilitate forums. Government departments have paid INZ for event participation or sponsorship (e.g. the Ministry of Transport paid INZ ~$6.4k in 2021/22, likely for conference fees or membership), effectively making the government a customer of INZ’s events. But by and large, INZ’s role is representational rather than consultative-for-hire.
21. Industries/Sectors Represented: INZ’s membership and advocacy cover a wide range of sectors involved in infrastructure:
• Construction & Engineering: Major construction contractors, engineering design firms, project management firms (e.g. Fulton Hogan, Downer, McConnell Dowell, Aurecon, Tonkin+Taylor, WSP, Beca are participants).
• Transportation: Roading and public transport sector entities (e.g. NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) as a member or partner, logistics and transport companies, port companies, Auckland Transport etc.).
• Energy and Utilities: Power companies, water services (Watercare), telco infrastructure firms, and new sectors like broadband network companies.
• Finance & Investment: Banks (e.g. ANZ, Westpac), institutional investors, and investment funds interested in infrastructure development and Public-Private Partnerships.
• Legal and Consulting: Law firms (such as Bell Gully, Russell McVeagh) and consultancies with infrastructure specialty; Big Four accounting/consulting firms (PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG) involved in infrastructure financing and advisory are engaged – indeed a PwC partner sits on the board.
• Public Sector Agencies: Central government ministries (Transport, Infrastructure, Treasury), Crown entities (like the Infrastructure Commission/Te Waihanga), and local authorities or council-controlled organizations often join as members or at least actively collaborate. (INZ membership includes public sector agencies as part of “diverse sectors” it brings together.)
• Major Infrastructure Users: Large corporates that rely on infrastructure, such as KiwiRail, Auckland Airport, utility companies, and perhaps big manufacturers or primary sector companies (whose logistics depend on infrastructure).
In summary, INZ represents the infrastructure ecosystem: from those who plan, design, fund, and build infrastructure, to those who regulate and ultimately use it.
22. Publicly Disclosed Engagements: INZ is active and transparent in many of its engagements with policy processes:
• Parliamentary Submissions: INZ frequently submits to Parliamentary select committees on relevant bills (e.g. on reforms of the Resource Management Act, Three Waters reform, infrastructure funding legislation). These submissions are often published or quoted. For instance, INZ (then NZCID) made submissions on local government regulatory reform and urban planning inquiries, offering detailed industry perspectives.
• Government Consultations: INZ is formally listed in legislation as a consulted stakeholder. Notably, the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 explicitly names Infrastructure New Zealand Incorporated as one of the organisations to be consulted on projects referred to the fast-track process. This means the government must seek INZ’s input on certain fast-tracked infrastructure projects – a clear acknowledgment of INZ’s standing.
• Ministerial Meetings: INZ executives meet regularly with ministers and officials (disclosed via Ministerial diaries). For example, then-CEO Stephen Selwood, along with other business leaders, met with the Minister for Infrastructure in late 2018 to discuss policy priorities. Such meetings are part of the normal dialogue; INZ often coordinates industry perspectives to present to government.
• Official Information Act (OIA) records: show interactions like INZ providing input to Treasury or Ministry of Transport. (E.g., OIA releases of agency spending show payments to INZ, and INZ’s name appears in correspondence about infrastructure strategy.)
• Public Events & Conferences: The annual Building Nations Symposium (organised by INZ) is a platform where government officials (up to Prime Minister and Ministers) regularly appear, speak, and engage with industry. These events are public or semi-public and widely reported, effectively functioning as high-profile engagement between INZ and the political leadership.
• Press Releases and Media Statements: INZ publicly states its position on government proposals almost weekly. These press releases (archived on Scoop News) often welcome or critique policy announcements. For example, INZ welcomed proposals for a longer parliamentary term to improve infrastructure planning, or commented on specific transport funding initiatives. These are on the record and indicate what lobbying messages INZ is delivering to decision-makers.
In all, INZ has a high public profile in policy debates, and much of its lobbying is done in the open via submissions, published reports, and media commentary.
23. Affiliations:
• International Affiliations: INZ engages internationally to bring ideas to New Zealand. It liaises with bodies like the Global Infrastructure Hub (a G20 initiative) and has relationships with overseas counterparts. (For instance, INZ led delegations to countries like Denmark and Ireland, fostering links with foreign infrastructure agencies and sharing best practices.) It is also a member of the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) of Australia/NZ – INZ is listed as a member organisation of the ISC, showing collaboration on sustainability standards.
• Domestic Associations: INZ often collaborates with other industry groups. It has co-sponsored research with the Property Council New Zealand and others (e.g. a major study on Auckland’s harbors was commissioned jointly by INZ (then NZCID), Property Council and other partners). INZ also partners with Civil Contractors New Zealand and Local Government NZ on certain events and policy discussions, given overlapping interests in infrastructure delivery.
• BusinessNZ Network: While not formally a member of BusinessNZ (the umbrella business lobby), INZ’s leadership is intertwined with it. (As of 2023, INZ’s chair Tracey Ryan also chairs a BusinessNZ advisory group, indicating alignment of advocacy). INZ often co-signs or echoes broader business community positions on regulation and investment.
• Women’s Infrastructure Network (WIN): INZ hosts the NZ chapter of WIN, which affiliates with the global WIN movement. This is an internal affiliation aimed at diversity and inclusion within the sector.
• Government Advisory Boards: INZ doesn’t “affiliate” with government, but its people sit on advisory bodies (like the National Infrastructure Advisory Board, and Te Waihanga (Infrastructure Commission) reference groups). This creates a de facto affiliation in terms of policy influence channels.
Overall, INZ operates at the nexus of a web of industry and government bodies – it is a conduit linking corporations, professional bodies, and policymakers, and maintains formal and informal affiliations to advance its goals.
24. Sponsorships / Collaborations:
• INZ sponsors events and initiatives that align with its mission. For example, it was a proud sponsor of the 2024 Future Roads Conference, a major roading industry event, where INZ’s CEO gave a keynote. INZ provided funding and endorsement to ensure the conference’s success, reflecting collaboration with event organizers (Freeman Media and Civil Contractors NZ).
• INZ also collaborates on research projects. It has co-funded reports such as Sea Change – Tai Timu Tai Pari (a blue-green infrastructure initiative in Auckland) in partnership with other organisations. Likewise, INZ worked with think tanks and consultancies (e.g., co-publishing an evaluation of the RMA’s outcomes, partnering with the Environmental Defence Society and Property Council in 2019).
• Building Nations Symposium Sponsorship: While INZ organises its flagship conference, it invites corporate sponsorship for those events (and many of its member companies sponsor or exhibit at Building Nations). This in turn is a collaboration between INZ and its members: e.g. construction firms may sponsor the conference gala dinner, consultancies sponsor breakout sessions, etc., in exchange for visibility and networking.
• Government Collaborations: INZ has been contracted by agencies for specific tasks on occasion. For instance, INZ received funding from NZ Trade & Enterprise around 2015 to conduct an infrastructure study tour (implied by some references), and worked with Treasury on workshops for the 30-year infrastructure plan. These are collaborative efforts where INZ’s expertise is leveraged in partnership with government, rather than pure lobbying.
• Educational and Diversity Programs: INZ collaborates with universities and professional bodies on initiatives like the Emerging Talent network and the Women’s Infrastructure Network, often sponsored by industry (e.g., WIN events might be sponsored by engineering firms).
In summary, sponsorship and collaboration are integral to INZ’s model – it both gives and receives sponsorship to further industry dialogue. This networked approach serves to tighten the community of infrastructure stakeholders in New Zealand.
25. Events (held or organised by this organisation):
• Building Nations Symposium: INZ’s flagship annual conference, established in mid-2000s and now the premier infrastructure event in NZ. Typically held over two days, it convenes hundreds of delegates from industry and government. It features speeches by the Prime Minister, Ministers of Infrastructure/Finance, Opposition leaders, and panels on policy and projects. Building Nations is so influential that major government policy announcements (e.g. the creation of the Infrastructure Commission in 2019) have been made at the event.
• Delegation Study Tours: INZ regularly organises international delegations for its members to learn from overseas infrastructure models. For example, in 2019 a delegation visited Dublin, Ireland (with around 80 NZ public and private sector leaders) to study how Ireland funds infrastructure. In May 2024, an INZ delegation visited Denmark to examine Danish infrastructure best practices, with support from MFAT. These tours are major networking and learning events, often resulting in reports or new ideas brought back to NZ.
• Women’s Infrastructure Network (WIN) Events: As part of its WIN program, INZ holds events such as networking breakfasts, panel discussions, and an annual WIN Awards to celebrate female leadership in infrastructure. These events, started around 2016, have drawn ministers (often the Minister for Women or Infrastructure) to speak and support diversity in the sector.
• Regional Workshops and Webinars: INZ hosts frequent member-only and public webinars on topical issues (e.g. infrastructure financing innovations, post-Budget analyses) and occasional regional forums in Wellington, Christchurch, etc., to discuss local infrastructure agendas.
• Infrastructure Legacy Events: Under its old name NZCID, it hosted symposia and conferences that set the stage for Building Nations. It also convened working groups whose meetings are a form of event (e.g., the Infrastructure Funding Working Group sessions in 2015).
• Co-hosted Conferences: INZ sometimes co-organises events with allied groups – e.g., an “Infrastructure Investment Summit” with financial sector partners or an occasional joint conference with Local Government NZ on planning reform.
These events are central to INZ’s strategy: they not only spread ideas but also facilitate direct interaction between industry leaders and policymakers, often shaping policy conversations in real time.
26. Political Donations: None officially recorded as an organisation.
Infrastructure New Zealand Incorporated itself does not donate to political parties or candidates, according to public donation registers (it operates as a non-partisan incorporated society). Its influence is exerted via policy advocacy rather than financial contributions to campaigns.
• It’s worth noting that individual member companies of INZ do make political donations (for example, construction and engineering firms on its board have donated to major parties in NZ). However, those are not made in INZ’s name. INZ acts collectively and avoids direct partisanship.
• INZ’s neutrality is strategic – it works with whichever government is in power. In fact, INZ has cultivated bipartisan relationships (frequently calling for cross-party consensus on infrastructure). For example, INZ praised a cross-party agreement to create the Infrastructure Commission. Taking sides through donations would undermine that bipartisan approach.
• There is no evidence of INZ channeling funds into election campaigns or referenda. Its financial resources are directed to research, events, and member services. Any hospitality or sponsorship involving politicians (e.g. hosting ministers at dinners) is disclosed appropriately but not the same as a political donation.
(In summary, INZ’s “currency” in politics is information and connections, not money.)
27. Controversies: While INZ has generally maintained a reputable public image, it has faced some criticisms and controversies around its influence:
• “Revolving Door” Critique: Observers have noted the movement of personnel between INZ and government roles (for instance, INZ’s longtime CEO joining a government commission, or a former mayor becoming INZ CEO). This raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest or regulatory capture, where an industry lobby might wield undue influence over its former regulators and vice versa. However, such appointments have been justified on the basis of expertise.
• Perception as Quasi-Governmental: INZ’s original name (NZ Council for Infrastructure Development) sounded very official, leading some to mistake it for a government body. Urban advocacy groups critiqued this, arguing that INZ at times presented industry viewpoints with the implied gravitas of a public authority. INZ’s strong endorsement of Public-Private Partnerships and planning law changes favorable to development in the 2000s led to public debates on whose interests were being served.
• RMA Reform Pushback: INZ’s outspoken criticism of the Resource Management Act – calling it “litigious, cumbersome, and complex” and advocating it be replaced – drew fire from environmental groups and community organisations. INZ was seen by critics as too eager to weaken environmental protections to speed up development. Some accused INZ of ignoring community voices (since INZ’s 2020 CEO argued local objections should not override wider regional interests ). This positioning was controversial in the broader RMA reform debate, though it aligned with government eventually moving to overhaul the RMA.
• Influence over Infrastructure Commission: Because INZ had campaigned for a decade for an independent infrastructure body, and then its CEO (Selwood) became a board member of that very Commission, questions of partiality were raised. Was the Commission too aligned with industry? Selwood publicly stated the need for independence, but the sequence of events showed INZ’s success in embedding its vision into public policy – a point not lost on skeptics of industry influence.
• Leadership Instability: Internally, INZ went through rapid leadership changes from 2019 to 2023, which drew media attention. While not a scandal per se, the turnover of three CEOs in three years (post-Selwood) was seen by some as turmoil. The organisation had to assure members and stakeholders that its direction remained steady despite these changes.
• Transparency Issues: INZ is not subject to public sector transparency rules, yet it plays a role in policy. Some have called for greater transparency about INZ’s lobbying – e.g., clear disclosure of its member interests when it submits on policy. For instance, when INZ strongly supports toll roads or asset recycling, critics note many of its members stand to benefit financially, and feel this should be more explicitly acknowledged.
• “Integrity Washing” Concerns: To address its growing influence, INZ often emphasizes its public-good mission (world-class infrastructure for all NZ’ers). There have been suggestions that this framing sometimes glosses over the profit motives of its corporate members. Essentially, some watchdogs caution that INZ’s well-meaning rhetoric about national interest could be a form of integrity washing, if not paired with full transparency about its sponsors. However, INZ does list its members on its website and often prefaces its submissions by describing its broad membership base as a virtue (claiming to speak for a coalition of public and private stakeholders, not just private profit).
In conclusion, the controversies around INZ largely center on the appropriateness of its influence – a common theme for powerful lobby groups – and the need to balance its input with other public interest voices. Despite these criticisms, INZ continues to be consulted by government, indicating that its contributions are valued, even as they remain under scrutiny.
28. Other Information of Note:
• Historical Footprint: INZ (as NZCID) was instrumental in introducing the concept of PPPs (public-private partnerships) to New Zealand’s policy discourse in the 2000s. Early on, it included global infrastructure players (e.g. Macquarie Bank) and pushed for PPP models when NZ had been hesitant. Its consistent lobbying eventually saw PPPs adopted in projects like schools and prisons by the late 2000s. This legacy underscores INZ’s role in shifting policy paradigms.
• Publications: INZ produces influential reports and discussion papers. Examples include “National Infrastructure Plan” feedback papers, a significant 2015 report on international megaproject best practices, a 2019 report “Building Regions: A Vision for Local Government and Planning Law Reform”, and annual Infrastructure Priority Lists. These publications often frame the agenda for government infrastructure plans (e.g., INZ’s work on urban planning reform prefigured some recommendations of the Productivity Commission and was cited in those contexts).
• Women’s Infrastructure Network (WIN): INZ’s WIN program deserves note as a positive initiative addressing gender imbalance in the infrastructure sector. Since its launch in 2016, WIN has grown to hundreds of members and has been a PR boon for INZ, showcasing its commitment to diversity and social responsibility in a traditionally male-dominated industry. It has likely helped INZ project an image of progressiveness.
• Economic Footprint: While a non-profit, INZ’s activities are funded by substantial membership fees (large corporates pay significant annual dues) and event revenues. This gives it an annual budget that allows commissioning professional research (often via consultancies) and maintaining a polished presence. INZ’s financial reports (not publicly available but shared with members) reportedly show a budget in the low millions of dollars per year, underlining that it is a well-resourced lobby by NZ standards.
• Relation with the Infrastructure Commission (Te Waihanga): After the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission was established in late 2019 (a success of INZ’s advocacy), INZ’s role evolved slightly – it now works alongside a government statutory body that also provides independent advice. INZ has repositioned itself to focus even more on advocacy and member interests (whereas the Commission handles long-term strategy and project pipelines). However, INZ closely follows the Commission’s work and often amplifies its findings or pushes the Commission to be bold. The synergy and occasional tension between these two – one private and one public – is a dynamic to watch.
• Political Balance: INZ takes care to invite and engage all major political parties. At its events or in its governance, one can observe a balance: for example, its board includes individuals with known National Party leanings as well as those connected to Labour-led initiatives. This even-handed approach means INZ often secures cross-party buy-in for its proposals (e.g., both National and Labour governments have adopted policies INZ championed, from city rail link funding to water reform structures). INZ’s Election Manifestos (released before each general election) outline what it hopes any incoming government will do, and usually elements of those manifestos end up in policy – a testament to its influence.
• Media Influence: INZ’s commentary is regularly sought by media on infrastructure crises (be it Auckland transport issues, Wellington’s water pipes, or post-disaster rebuilds). The CEO and senior staff appear frequently on radio and news panels. For instance, current CEO Nick Leggett is often on NewstalkZB and Radio NZ discussing funding gaps, and former CEO Paul Blair penned op-eds in the NZ Herald about stimulus priorities. This media presence amplifies their lobbying by swaying public opinion or at least informing the public debate, indirectly pressuring government.
• Future Outlook: With infrastructure at the forefront of NZ’s economic strategy (especially post-COVID and to address climate adaptation), INZ’s role may grow. It is currently advocating for a National Infrastructure Strategy implementation, pushing whoever is in government to follow through on long-term plans and not defer critical investments. It is also increasingly focusing on climate resilience and the infrastructure needed for a low-carbon economy – positioning itself as not just pro-building, but pro-“building the right things” (though time will tell how this rhetoric translates).
Sources:
• Infrastructure New Zealand official website and publications
• New Zealand Companies Office / Incorporated Societies Register
• BusinessDesk (Oliver Lewis, 2023) – “Infrastructure NZ appoints Nick Leggett as CEO”
• interest.co.nz (Jenee Tibshraeny, 2019) – “Infrastructure NZ’s high-profile CEO quits to join Infrastructure Commission”
• NZ Herald (various opinion pieces by INZ staff and coverage quoting INZ)
• Scoop.co.nz press releases – Infrastructure New Zealand statements on policy proposals
• Irish Penal Reform Trust E-Bulletin (2004) – reference to NZCID composition and agenda
• EPA Fast-track Consenting Act information
• NZIOB news (2022) – “Infrastructure NZ announces three new board members”
• ISCouncil (Infrastructure Sustainability Council) member profile
• Ministerial diary (Phil Twyford, Nov 2018) – meeting with INZ and others
• Wikipedia – “Infrastructure New Zealand” (history and activities)
• Treasury and Ministry reports citing INZ/NZCID submissions
• Official Information Act releases (MoT, Treasury) – spending on INZ and related correspondence.
Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz