Budget 2026: the public benefit of steady infrastructure funding is clear

28 May 2026

Civil Contractors New Zealand has welcomed increased Government infrastructure investment in Budget 2026 and increased recognition of the critical role infrastructure plays in creating thriving, resilient communities.

"New Zealand's civil construction industry stands ready, willing and able to deliver on the proposed investment. Our members have the right expertise to get shovels in the ground, and these announcements must translate into funded, delivered projects,” said CCNZ Chief Executive Alan Pollard.

Mr Pollard welcomed clarity in funding channels and the prioritisation of a sustainable pipeline of infrastructure investment. This clear and stable funding for infrastructure would provide communities with much-needed assets, and valuable certainty.

In particular, a new package of transport resilience projects to protect transport networks from the impact of severe weather and natural hazards was welcome, and something contractors had long called for, as was funding for rail, hospital and school infrastructure.

He said CCNZ had long advocated for decision-makers to focus on long-term, sustained infrastructure development supported by safeguards such as solid cost-benefit analysis, that prevented projects from being cancelled.

Mr Pollard said the industry was ‘in recovery’ from a significant downturn, and projects needed to come to market in a steady flow so companies could scale up workforce capability and capacity for delivery. He called on Kiwis to look to careers in infrastructure construction, which offered great opportunities for people who wanted to make a real difference.

Infrastructure existed to deliver public benefits, such as transport, water and electricity. Projects supported with planning and investment needed to be carried through to completion, and more recognition of the true value of infrastructure delivery was needed.

“Our members build the roads and community infrastructure that New Zealanders depend on to improve their quality of life, and to boost the regional and national economy. So, we are pleased to see the Budget following through on infrastructure and providing great opportunities for people that are willing to get hands-on and make a real difference”.

While the Budget proposals were welcome, more clarity was needed over regional delivery, particularly regarding to water infrastructure, with water networks excluded from the Government’s ‘Incentives for Growth’ fund, leaving regional water entities to carry the can.

Announcing infrastructure project and maintenance funding was also only the first step. Mr Pollard said CCNZ was encouraged by the Crown making better use of its own balance sheet, ensuring projects were not just discussed and designed, but in the funnel for delivery.

With project budgets often spent on re-assessing, re-designing and re-thinking projects prior to any physical delivery, the country needed to stop paying the cost of the ‘cancel culture’ that all too often stopped projects with clear public benefit in their tracks.

“This is a movement toward delivery and action. When funding is withdrawn or delayed, businesses scale down, skilled workers leave the industry, and capacity to deliver future projects diminishes. Too often, the true value of infrastructure investment is undermined by dispute, cancellation and delay.

“While we have these challenges, I’m sure everyone can recognise quality of life is improved for everyday Kiwis through transport, health, education and other infrastructure. We’re pleased to see consistency in these proposals, so we can retain and develop our workforce, to make the proposed ideas into real infrastructure to serve our communities.”