New Zealand must take lessons from its settler past and rediscover the “spirit of construction” if it is to overcome current infrastructure challenges including those in transport.
That’s according to free market think tank The New Zealand Initiative which has released a new report shedding light on the country’s infrastructure history and providing crucial insights for the future.
Authored by Dr Matthew Birchall, Paving the Way: Learning from New Zealand’s Past to Build a Better Future explores the country’s triumphant infrastructure projects of the past and presents a case for replicating those successes.
It comes as infrastructure is high on the agenda this election year with broken bridges and potholes plus an infrastructure deficit of $210 billion.
The Infrastructure Commission notes that New Zealand would have to spend around 9.6% of GDP over 30 years to bridge the infrastructure backlog and build a fit-for-purpose network.
The report highlights the importance of embracing private enterprise, prioritising localism over centralisation, and fostering a positive approach to growth and development in infrastructure policy.
It explores key developments such as the national rail network, roading, housing, the Think Big initiative, the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and the recent broadband rollout.
Birchall says that while the infrastructure needs of the 21st century may differ, it is crucial to learn from the past and leverage New Zealand’s ability to deliver exceptional infrastructure today.
“While we often talk about New Zealand’s current infrastructure woes, we sometimes neglect the valuable lessons from our past. That is a missed opportunity,” Birchall says.
“In the 19th century, New Zealand’s early settlers overcame an acute infrastructure deficit by building roads, railways, towns, and cities without letting bureaucracy hold them back. We still use their infrastructure today.
“As we confront our infrastructure challenges and a $210 billion deficit, it is essential to draw upon history to shape a better future,” he says.
The report asks three big questions about New Zealand’s infrastructure legacy which includes:
- Has private enterprise or state-led development been more successful?
- Have projects fared better under Wellington or local authorities?
- What role does culture play in fostering growth and development?
*Click here to download the full report.
