Introduction

Infrastructure is an integral part of modern life. We use roads or trains to get to work and visit friends; we use electricity to run our factories, light our homes and power our appliances; we use telecommunications to talk to distant family, and to inform and entertain us.

Infrastructure is important for the services it provides rather than for its own sake. At its best, it attracts businesses, improves productivity and makes our lives more pleasant. Well-chosen and operated infrastructure can bring benefits that extend for many generations. But infrastructure is expensive to build and maintain, and can have significant environmental and social impacts. If we don't choose wisely, it may reduce our quality of life and add to the burdens faced by our children.

This Plan outlines the infrastructure challenges that we face and describes what the Government is doing to address these. In doing so it signals the Government's determination to succeed and identifies its priorities. Local government, private sector businesses and iwi are encouraged to partner with central government to address these priorities for the benefit of all New Zealanders.