'Still tough out there' despite Govt building announcements

The Government will accelerate investment in school building projects, such as the work at Ōtūmoeta Primary School. (Image: Brydie Thompson)

Maria Slade

Wed, 24 Sep 2025

“A dollar short and a day late.”That is construction industry consultant Mike Blackburn’s view of announcements this week that the Government will put its hands into its pocket and spend on defence housing, school infrastructure, and hospital facilities.The National-led administration was right to pause projects immediately after the election to curb wasteful spending, the author of the quarterly New Zealand Construction Report said.However, the unveiling in quick succession of a project to deliver homes for military families,...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Opinion

Dileepa Fonseka: Fear, panic and a sour mood in the boardroom

Strong on the world stage, the PM’s weaknesses at home are hurting him.

Dileepa Fonseka 6:00am

Primary Sector

BioLumic could be a new unicorn, says major shareholder

BioLumic’s Steven Sibulkin went from sceptic to its CEO.

Greg Hurrell 5:00am

BioLumic could be a new unicorn, says major shareholder

Retail

Privacy commissioner warns retailers about ‘walls of shame’

Retailers should not publish images of alleged offenders, commissioner says.

John Anthony 5:00am

Privacy commissioner warns retailers about ‘walls of shame’

Sponsored

AI agents: opportunity or graveyard? Spark’s five-point playbook for success

Artificial intelligence agents – autonomous digital entities that analyse data, automate decisions, and act independently – are set to drive a new wave of business transformation.

Spark Enterprise

Sponsored