Applying the four themes in this Plan will lead to more balanced and affordable infrastructure investment over the next 30 years. Getting there will take time, but the 16 recommendations (listed at the end of the executive summary) provide a clear pathway to a stronger and more enduring infrastructure investment system. At the same time, New Zealand faces acute pressures across a range of sectors and regions. Using our Forward Guidance – a method for forecasting infrastructure demand over time – the Commission has identified 10 priority areas requiring attention over the next decade. The key actions set out for each area should be progressed in tandem with the wider, system-level changes:

1. Lift hospital investment for an ageing population: Increase investment as a share of GDP to address ageing population demands and maintenance backlogs through clear long-term planning.

See in Section 3.1: Aligning investment with long-term needs

2. Complete catch-up on renewals in the water sector and restore affordability: Sector affordability can be restored through national guidance on demand management, resourcing the economic regulator and providing assurance over investment proposals.

Section 3.1: Aligning investment with long-term needs

3. Implement time-of-use charging and fleetwide road user charges: This is essential for improving the efficiency of our urban road networks, particularly in congested cities.

See in Section 3.2: Using the right tools to pay for infrastructure

4. Prioritise and sequence major land transport projects: Restore affordability by timing major road and rapid transit investments based on demonstrated demand and cost benchmarking, while using low-cost and targeted improvements first to lift network performance.

See in Section 3.3: Fixing land transport funding and investment

5. Manage assets on the downside: Actively plan for declining demand scenarios arising from changing demographics, technology and climate change, and explore asset recycling opportunities within portfolios to maintain value and affordability.

See in Section 4.1: Strengthening long-term asset management and investment planning

6. Prioritise adequate maintenance and renewals: Central government agencies must prioritise adequate funding to prevent asset deterioration and costly reactive fixes.

See in Section 4.2: Making maintenance and renewals the first investment priority

7. Identify cost-effective flood risk infrastructure: Climate change will intensify flooding and impact infrastructure, requiring effective community risk management approaches.

See Section 4.2: Making maintenance and renewals the first investment priority

8. Commit to a durable resource management framework: New Zealand needs a durable legislative framework with spatial planning and national standards that can evolve through incremental amendments.

See in Section 6.1: Making resource management work for infrastructure

9. Commit to upzoning around key transport corridors: This will lead to more efficient use of water and other networks and maximise the value of transport infrastructure investments.

See in Section 6.1: Making resource management work for infrastructure

10. Take a predictable approach to electrify the economy: Achieving electrification and net zero carbon targets requires predictable market rules and policy settings rather than non-commercial government investment in electricity supply.

See in Section 6.2: Accelerating electricity investment for growth and decarbonisation