The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga has announced that after four years in the role, Chief Executive Ross Copland will be stepping down from the role and returning home to family in Queenstown.

Copland joined Te Waihanga in September 2020, and has led the organisation through the development of New Zealand’s first Infrastructure Strategy, the growth of the New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline, as well as providing guidance and insight to industry, government and others.

Copland says, “It has been a privilege to lead the Commission through its formative years as we have studied, listened, summarised and built consensus on the big infrastructure issues and opportunities for our country.

“It feels like the right time to pass the baton as we reach the end of the financial year and shift gears from a focus on developing a robust infrastructure strategy for New Zealand into supporting the execution of our strategic recommendations and commencing work on the National Infrastructure Plan.”

Te Waihanga Board Chair, Dr Alan Bollard says, “Ross’s energy and insight have made a huge contribution to building a dynamic organisation, and also to helping improve our country’s record on infrastructure. We thank him for his work and offer our best wishes for his future career.

“The Commission has a talented team in place and a big work programme lined up for the year ahead supporting a range of significant policy reforms, major projects and working with asset owners to develop the National Infrastructure Plan.”

With this busy work programme ahead, the role of Te Waihanga remains as important as ever. Copland will be formally finishing in the role in the coming months. Geoff Cooper, General Manager - Strategy at the Commission will take on the Acting CE duties while the Board recruits a new CE.