A stable pipeline of civil works, optimised procurement, decreased compliance and regulatory cost, better workforce and capacity and improved infrastructure resilience are what New Zealand’s civil construction industry expects from an incoming government.

These are the key themes put to political parties across the political spectrum by Civil Contractors New Zealand, with the launch of its 2026 Election Manifesto today.

CCNZ Chief Executive Alan Pollard said the sector was tasked with the construction and maintenance of the key infrastructure New Zealand communities need to thrive, and politicians in any incoming government needed to support a vibrant civil contracting sector.

“New Zealanders are desperate for infrastructure that meets the needs of their communities, which starts with the right settings and investment. That’s what contractors deliver and maintain day in, day out.” said Mr Pollard.

“How we build the country’s transport, water and other infrastructure networks is very important. Debating infrastructure delivery in New Zealand captures the public imagination, but the conversation means little until infrastructure is constructed and maintained.”

Input for the manifesto was generated from twelve election workshops hosted across the country for CCNZ members to provide their input.

One of the most pressing issues the industry faced was the rollercoaster boom-bust cycle approach to civil contracting.

“Our members consistently pointed to the uncertain pipeline of work as their biggest challenge. When the majority of the civil construction sector's clients are central or local government, what politicians do or say heavily impacts our industry,” Mr Pollard said.

“Contractors have practical knowledge that can inform whether policy that works in theory, works in practice. We urge parties across the political spectrum that seek to govern the country to avoid delaying or cancelling ongoing projects, and to ensure policy is well informed by those who will be tasked with construction and maintenance.”

This issue had also been well documented in the National Infrastructure Plan, and the recent Cost of Stopping report, which estimated an $11.8 billion cost of stop-start investment over the past 25 years, denying communities the public benefit of well-maintained infrastructure.

CCNZ's recommendations for the incoming government are detailed in the manifesto, and include:

1. Ensuring a stable, depoliticised pipeline of work: Establish a long-term, cross-party infrastructure pipeline with independent accountability for delivery.
2. Optimising procurement practices: Implement a nationally consistent procurement framework with accountability processes for clients and early contractor involvement.
3. Decreasing compliance and regulatory costs: Implement a common-sense approach to compliance and regulation with feedback from industry for regulation built-in and practical, risk-based, right-sized site safety.
4. Building workforce capability and capacity: Implement incentives that support apprenticeships and on-the-job training and improve immigration settings in civil construction.
5. Increasing infrastructure resilience and sustainability: Ensure sustainability is prioritised in design and construction, approach infrastructure management and maintenance proactively, create a formal package of resilience works, and recognise civil contractors as essential first-response partners.

Mr Pollard said it was essential any incoming government recognised the civil construction industry’s needs and worked with civil contractors to ensure the right policy settings were in place to improve productivity and build the infrastructure New Zealand required.

“New Zealand’s civil contractors have the skills and commitment to deliver the infrastructure that will drive economic growth and support communities across the country for decades to come – we just need the right policy settings in place."

CCNZ looked forward to working constructively with the incoming government to create positive change and delivering the well-constructed and maintained infrastructure that future New Zealanders deserved, he said.

The full Election Manifesto is available to read on Civil Contractors New Zealand’s website.

Photo: Emergency road repairs following Cyclone Gabrielle. Credit - Currie Construction