Getting what we need

This research looks at what New Zealanders expect from and be willing to pay for New Zealand’s infrastructure and its services.

For good infrastructure decisions, we must understand what current, potential and future users want and need. However, infrastructure tends to be either publicly owned or regulated natural monopolies. This can make it hard to infer peoples’ wants and needs based on the choices they make – as they may have little to no choice. As such, it’s important to collect good quality data that represents what users say or indicate are their own preferences, expectations and needs, as well as what they are willing to pay for.

The research analyses a wide range of previous studies that covered different timeframes and topics.

Key findings

• Overall, New Zealanders want us to spend better and in most cases not spend more when it comes to infrastructure. We're concerned that our current spending on infrastructure is not as efficient or well thought out as it could be.
• Some New Zealanders do appear to be willing to spend more, in certain circumstances:
  • Where spending on health or education infrastructure will improve healthcare and education services.
  • Where spending on infrastructure will provide tangible value, such as making it easier to meet costs of living for those under financial strain, or when it will ensure continued access to basic necessities and to a modern standard of living for everybody. For example, clean water, affordable and quality homes, and good healthcare and education.