The PwC Competitive Cities report released today underlines the urgent need for the Government to deliver affordable housing and efficient transport systems in our growing cities, says Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Selwood PwC compared the performance of 11 Australasian growth cities over the last decade and found that households in successfully growing Australian cities have enjoyed significant improvements in discretionary income, relative to New Zealand. Continue →

A state-of-the-art digital communications network being rolled out in New Zealand will enable industries to reach new levels of safety and productivity The network will be powered by Motorola Solutions’ advanced, MOTOTRBO Capacity Max technology providing highly secure, reliable and professional two-way radio solutions that give users access to feature-rich, next-generation networks and applications. Continue →

The draft New Zealand Infrastructure Commission/Te Waihanga Bill is a positive step towards better and more efficient infrastructure planning and investment on a national scale but needs fine-tuning to be successful in its objectives, say New Zealand’s civil contractors Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Silcock said the national association for civil contractors strongly supported the creation of the Infrastructure Commission and its mission to improve the wellbeing of New Zealanders through quality infrastructure. Continue →

In the Texas city of La Porte, the power plant of the future generates enough electricity to power 5,000 homes simultaneously. Continue →

Eco-friendly governor Jay Inslee signed legislation making Washington the first US state to approve composting as an alternative to burying or cremating human remains, according to an Associated Press report Ben Messenger – Waste Management World Under the new law that will go into effect in May of next year, people who die in the state will have the option to have their bodies transformed into soil suitable for use in gardening in a process called recomposition. Continue →

Long overdue reform of the water sector has created the opportunity for a first principles discussion of what local government can and should do and with what resources, says Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Stephen Selwood “Operating infrastructure networks is a technical activity demanding flexible use of capital and strong asset management capability,” he explains. Continue →

Future business people and construction workers can get a taste of what it’s like to build their own company with the launch of Construction Tycoon, the latest in a series of educational games aimed at growing interest in industries with skills shortages Created by Joy Business Academy, the Tycoon series has the backing of partners including Microsoft, Xero, Ministry of Social Development, Fletcher Building, BDO and Building Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO). Continue →

The urban air mobility market is heating up as two Australian cities vie to become the first international test city for Uber’s “flying car” trials Ana Narvaez – The Urban Developer The ridesharing giant will make the decision on which city will be home to the first international Uber air market test site on Monday — the first day of Uber’s two-day Elevate Summit held in Washington D.C. Continue →

A Cabinet Paper  released in late November sets out a long overdue road map on the future for the ailing and aging Three Waters facilities. Continue →

The announcement that the Government will establish the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission – Te Waihanga – to perform strategy and procurement functions and vest it with sufficient independence to have mana and influence is very strongly welcomed by the infrastructure industry, says CEO of Infrastructure New Zealand Stephen Selwood “The new Commission will help ensure we are making the best decisions about infrastructure investment to improve the long-term economic performance and social wellbeing of our country,” Shane Jones said during the announcement. Continue →