Locals can expect a significant shift in how infrastructure projects are handled, with the Government announcing the launch of the National Infrastructure Agency (NIA) on 1 December.

The NIA, set to replace Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP), aims to unlock more capital for infrastructure projects and enhance the Government’s private finance and commercial capabilities.

The NIA will serve as the Crown’s main point of contact for private sector investment in infrastructure.

It will facilitate partnerships between government agencies and private investors, administer central government infrastructure funds, and continue the work CIP has been doing.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop emphasised the importance of this new agency, stating, "The NIA will help facilitate private capital into New Zealand’s infrastructure to help close our infrastructure gap faster."

The NIA’s responsibilities will include partnering with local government on projects involving private finance, administering various government infrastructure funds, and providing expertise in complex procurement models.

The agency will also focus on innovative funding tools such as tolling, value capture, and levies to ensure those benefiting from public infrastructure contribute to its costs.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop

To support its mission, the NIA is expected to have around 60 staff by 2025, with an annual budget of approximately $26 million.

This represents a 50% increase in staffing and a 44% increase in base operating funding compared to CIP’s current operations.

The establishment of the NIA is part of a broader effort to streamline the Crown’s central infrastructure system, which will also see the Infrastructure Commission and Treasury take on clarified roles.

These changes aim to eliminate inefficiencies and duplication within the public sector infrastructure system.

Minister Bishop expressed confidence in the NIA’s ability to unlock more capital and improve infrastructure delivery across New Zealand.

“I am confident that the NIA will unlock more capital and lift capability in the infrastructure system. Both are necessary to deliver the projects that New Zealand needs,” he said.