The New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development is the respected peak infrastructure body in New Zealand. Formed in 2004, membership has grown from an initial 16 foundation members to over 80 of New Zealand’s leading private and public sector infrastructure organisations including the leading construction, design engineering firms to the major lending institutions, equity investors, utility providers and professional service providers. NZCID’s core purpose is to advance best practice in the development of world class infrastructure for all New Zealanders.

It’s very much an “NZ Inc” agenda, says NZCID Chief Executive, Stephen Selwood. We put New Zealand’s interests first and commercial interests second.

“New Zealand like many nations is currently investing heavily to catch up on almost three decades of severe underinvestment in national infrastructure. Central government has a $NZ10 billion ten year investment plan in NZ’s Roads of National Significance”; there is a major catch up investment in rail rolling stock and electrification; , the national grid provider has a $NZ5bn investment programme for the national transmission network and investment in renewable energy supply is regaining momentum following a lag caused by the global financial crisis. Local authorities have planned $NZ14bn capital investment in water infrastructure and the government has just signalled the beginnings of a financial support package for water storage infrastructure to support the agricultural sector. Contracts have been let for the supply of high speed broadband across the country with plans to deliver 100mbs to 80% of the country and at least 5mbs to rural NZ within six years. Finally, in its drive to improve economic efficiency, the government is focussed on improving asset management across its capital assets and has recently turned to PPPs for prisons and schools and considering PPPs for other social infrastructure. New Zealand’s largest city Auckland, with a population of 1.4 million has recently undergone major unification and is currently developing a city wide spatial plan which will be supported by a major focus on transport infrastructure investment both road and rail. The city is grappling with how it will fund the level of investment required.

“NZCID has been highly influential in the infrastructure investment programme across the nation. We have both lead and contributed to much of the thought leadership which has lead to a marked increase in investment in national infrastructure and key industry reforms. The Council is invited to and actively participates in government policy forums and consultative processes to enhance policymakers' understanding of funding and provision issues.

“Key issues promoted by NZCID include the need for strong leadership and effective governance of spatial planning and infrastructure development; coordinated long term national infrastructure planning and provision, reform of unnecessarily complex and duplicative regulatory processes and statues that affect infrastructure development; achieving the linkage between effective long term planning, funding and delivery of nationally significant infrastructure; promotion of private investment in infrastructure, advanced procurement and appropriate use of public and private debt supported by user charges as a means to finance infrastructure investment opportunities.

Current initiatives include funding transport investment, advanced procurement, infrastructure and land planning law reform, water governance and leadership, Maori partnerships and spatial planning in  Auckland, NZ’s largest city.

Membership provides a prime opportunity to contribute to thought leadership on infrastructure and a channel to convey critical information to industry peers and policy makers alike. It is the ideal vehicle to facilitate partnerships between the public and private sectors in the future development the infrastructure sector. The Council’s Chairman sits on the National Infrastructure Advisory Board providing a further channel to communicate issues of strategic importance to the industry at the highest level.

Annual corporate membership is $NZ9,000 per annum plus GST. Each member organisation is required to nominate two senior management delegates, but all members of the senior management team or their delegates are eligible to attend and participate in NZCID member workshops and events. These are held regularly on strategic issues affecting infrastructure development in NZ.

Full membership entitles full voting rights at the Council’s annual general meeting and the right to nominate board member for election at the Annual General Meeting.

Corporate memberships qualify for two attendees to NZCID’s annual Building Nations symposium.  This is the infrastructure conference of significance which attracts some 250 to 300 delegates each year and is the mainstay policy setting forum in the infrastructure sector.

Via email members nominated staff will regularly receive information on upcoming events and conferences; pre-release media material; a regular exclusive update of national infrastructure news, so members can obtain visibility of emerging issues and access the latest thinking on infrastructure development.

NZCID’s core business is partnering, facilitating opportunities for guest visits; member functions; boardroom functions; forums, conferences and seminars.

To achieve its vision NZCID maintains an active dialogue with key external stakeholders, and encourage member participation in that dialogue with: media; opinion leaders; government; international bodies; business groups and the general public.

By understanding our aims and activities, stakeholders gain increased appreciation of member commitment have to ensuring world class infrastructure in New Zealand