Will city deals change anything?

Will city deals change anything?
Auckland mayor Wayne Brown and NZ First leader Winston Peters doing a city deal. (Image: X/@MayorWayneBrown)
Dileepa Fonseka
Simon Court’s description of how New Zealand allocates its infrastructure funding conjures up images of Oprah Winfrey’s stunt in 2004 where she gave away cars to random members of her live studio audience.  But instead of Winfrey shouting “You get a car, and you get a car” while pointing to people watching her show, in Court’s description it's politicians doing the pointing and they’re giving away the infrastructure for the cars, rather than the vehicles themselves. “Every election season,...

More Infrastructure

Jones: Fast-track amendment ‘sends message’ to officials
Infrastructure

Jones: Fast-track amendment ‘sends message’ to officials

Shane Jones says the amendment will improve the fast-track, despite last-minute changes.

Thomas Manch 12 Dec 2025
Govt backs off some fast-track changes
Infrastructure

Govt backs off some fast-track changes

But urgent law changes now in effect still promise to make fast-track faster. 

Thomas Manch 11 Dec 2025
Major battles still to be fought over RMA reform
Policy

Major battles still to be fought over RMA reform

Lawyers expect litigation battles, Fed Farmers has concerns, and Opposition may amend.

Thomas Manch 10 Dec 2025
Economic boost, compliance relief from RMA reform
Policy

Economic boost, compliance relief from RMA reform

RMA Minister Chris Bishop touts the size of prize as new planning system revealed.

Thomas Manch 09 Dec 2025