February 25, 2026
Selwyn’s mayor says a Government 30-year plan could avoid “infrastructure lagging behind growth” - if it can get cross-party buy-in.
The Government last week revealed the country's first National Infrastructure Plan, tabling it at Parliament after prior consultation on a draft version.
The strategy aims to reshape how the country plans, funds, maintains, and delivers key infrastructure.
Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon said that for high-growth districts like Selwyn, forward planning from central Government is essential.
“Our population is projected to grow significantly over the coming decades, which puts real pressure on transport, schools, health services and housing.
“Councils can plan for pipes and roads, but schools, hospitals, and state highways sit with central Government.
“Better long-term coordination would help avoid infrastructure lagging behind growth.
“Local government is already required to plan 30 years ahead for infrastructure. If central Government is doing the same, alignment is critical.”
Ashburton Mayor Liz McMillan also believed the strategy “made sense” and aligning it to council planning cycles is probably overdue.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said in his announcement that despite New Zealand spending heavily on infrastructure, the country ranks poorly in efficiency and asset management.
“Many central government agencies do not properly understand what they own or have long-term investment plans,” Bishop said.
Ashburton's mayor said she is keen to see the national land transport funding cycle lines up better with council long-term plans as part of the strategy.
At the moment, council’s long-term plans, locking in three years of budgets, are signed off before they know what level of funding they will receive from NZTA.
Both McMillan and Gliddon believe regional input to the national strategy will be important.
“Any national plan needs strong district and regional engagement to ensure it reflects on-the-ground realities, not just national modelling,” Gliddon said.
Gliddon also acknowledged the “risk that larger metro centres attract the majority of funding”.
“Infrastructure investment should be based on future demand and economic return, not just population size.
“Canterbury and Selwyn contribute significantly to New Zealand’s GDP, and growth areas like Selwyn are driving much of that.
“Investment needs to follow growth and productivity.”
The national infrastructure plan “must look ahead, not behind”.
“Some districts are maintaining legacy infrastructure; others, like Selwyn, are still building it, or hoping for it to be built. Planning needs to reflect that difference.
“If this plan genuinely aligns investment with growth and is consistent across political cycles, it has real potential to strengthen the national economy and support communities.”
Bishop is also pushing for cross-party buy-in to the 30-year planning.
McMillan believed it to be “achievable”, while Gliddon said it “will depend on how genuinely collaborative the process is”.
Selwyn’s longest-serving councillor, Sophie McInnes, had some apprehension of achieving bipartisan support.
“Wouldn't it be wonderful if central government took this report, all of it, seriously.
“Every party in the coalition, and opposition parties too.
“Not to finger-point or throw gotchas, but to recognise that constant back and forth with multi-billion-dollar promises is harmful.
“Even more so when those promises to provide few direct returns to those who will pay ever more taxes, tolls, and levies.”
By Jonathan Leask
Selwyn’s mayor says a Government 30-year plan could avoid “infrastructure lagging behind growth” - if it can get cross-party buy-in.
The Government last week revealed the country's first National Infrastructure Plan, tabling it at Parliament after prior consultation on a draft version.
The strategy aims to reshape how the country plans, funds, maintains, and delivers key infrastructure.
Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon said that for high-growth districts like Selwyn, forward planning from central Government is essential.
“Our population is projected to grow significantly over the coming decades, which puts real pressure on transport, schools, health services and housing.
“Councils can plan for pipes and roads, but schools, hospitals, and state highways sit with central Government.
“Better long-term coordination would help avoid infrastructure lagging behind growth.
“Local government is already required to plan 30 years ahead for infrastructure. If central Government is doing the same, alignment is critical.”
Ashburton Mayor Liz McMillan also believed the strategy “made sense” and aligning it to council planning cycles is probably overdue.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said in his announcement that despite New Zealand spending heavily on infrastructure, the country ranks poorly in efficiency and asset management.
“Many central government agencies do not properly understand what they own or have long-term investment plans,” Bishop said.
Ashburton's mayor said she is keen to see the national land transport funding cycle lines up better with council long-term plans as part of the strategy.
At the moment, council’s long-term plans, locking in three years of budgets, are signed off before they know what level of funding they will receive from NZTA.
Both McMillan and Gliddon believe regional input to the national strategy will be important.
“Any national plan needs strong district and regional engagement to ensure it reflects on-the-ground realities, not just national modelling,” Gliddon said.
Gliddon also acknowledged the “risk that larger metro centres attract the majority of funding”.
“Infrastructure investment should be based on future demand and economic return, not just population size.
“Canterbury and Selwyn contribute significantly to New Zealand’s GDP, and growth areas like Selwyn are driving much of that.
“Investment needs to follow growth and productivity.”
The national infrastructure plan “must look ahead, not behind”.
“Some districts are maintaining legacy infrastructure; others, like Selwyn, are still building it, or hoping for it to be built. Planning needs to reflect that difference.
“If this plan genuinely aligns investment with growth and is consistent across political cycles, it has real potential to strengthen the national economy and support communities.”
Bishop is also pushing for cross-party buy-in to the 30-year planning.
McMillan believed it to be “achievable”, while Gliddon said it “will depend on how genuinely collaborative the process is”.
Selwyn’s longest-serving councillor, Sophie McInnes, had some apprehension of achieving bipartisan support.
“Wouldn't it be wonderful if central government took this report, all of it, seriously.
“Every party in the coalition, and opposition parties too.
“Not to finger-point or throw gotchas, but to recognise that constant back and forth with multi-billion-dollar promises is harmful.
“Even more so when those promises to provide few direct returns to those who will pay ever more taxes, tolls, and levies.”
By Jonathan Leask
