7:30

Doors Open

8:30

Conference Opens

8:40

Mihi Whakatau

8:50

International Keynote: Asset Recycling - Learning from Global Success

From Policy Idea to Election-Year Imperative.

With infrastructure funding under pressure and a general election on the horizon, asset recycling is emerging as one of the most hotly debated policy tools in the infrastructure conversation.

Asset recycling has the potential to unlock significant economic value - but how do we make it part of the election debate in a way that is credible, constructive, and publicly understood?

Over the last decade, the NSW state government has raised tens of billions of dollars through asset recycling transactions, including sales and leases on electricity networks and ports. The state has raised around AUD $32.7 billion through asset recycling, used to fund infrastructure investment at scale.

This keynote session will hear from those involved in the NSW programme – learning the lessons from the state and how it can be translated into action in Aotearoa, as the political discussion around it heats up.It’ll explore how existing infrastructure can be transformed into future capital, drawing on a practical case study that examines both process and outcomes. It will also unpack what it takes to communicate asset recycling effectively with the public, manage expectations, and build confidence during an election year. Finally, the session will consider how different asset recycling models could be applied in an Aotearoa New Zealand context, and what that means for long-term infrastructure investment.

Dr Hon. Rob Stokes, Group Executive, Anglicare

9:30

Attracting Private Capital to New Zealand Infrastructure

A year on from the Government’s much-touted international investment summit, how much progress has really been made? This session explores what it takes to attract and secure both domestic and offshore capital for New Zealand’s strategic projects. We’ll look at investor appetite and the barriers still in play, examine how regulatory certainty shapes bankability, discuss missed opportunities and highlight real-world examples of successful private investment driving national outcomes.

Bede Noonan, CEO Australia & New Zealand, ACCIONA

Natalie McClew, Managing Director, Aeira

Andrew McGavin, Head of Corporate Finance, National Infrastructure Funding and Financing

June McCabe, Lead Advisor, Rauawa

Facilitator: Laura Harris, Partner, Mafic Partners

10:10

Ministerial Address

A strategic overview of the government's vision for future-proofing New Zealand’s infrastructure through innovative funding and financing models. This session will outline the Government’s long-term plan and update the industry on its latest projects, plans and pipeline. Minister Bishop will launch an asset management report.

Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Infrastructure, Housing, RMA Reform, Transport

10:50

Morning Tea

11:20

Rethinking Asset Management: Investing for the Future

Following Chris Bishop’s launch of the INZ/Beca asset management report ‘Looking After What We Have, Better’ a panel will discuss its findings. Modern asset-management isn’t just about keeping equipment running; it’s about making strategic investment decisions guided by data and aligned to organisational objectives. Asset management needs to be at the forefront of any discussions on projects and funding.

Aaron Goldsbury, Chief Engineer, Fonterra Co-operative Group

Pat Dougherty, Chief Executive, Wellington Water

Priyani de Silva-Currie MNZM, Technical Fellow - Strategic Asset Management, Beca

Facilitator: Katie Bradford, Director of Advocacy and Policy, Infrastructure New Zealand

12:00

Local Government in the Spotlight: How to Arrange and Fund Local Government into the Future?

Unlocking sustainable infrastructure investment at the local level is critical to Aotearoa’s growth. This session explores the reforms, partnerships, and funding tools needed to support long-term delivery while balancing public acceptability, affordability and the maintenance of social license. We’ll take a closer look at tax and levy-based options, including potential models such as bed charges, or windfall gains taxes.

Janet Holborow, Mayor, Kāpiti Coast District Council

Campbell Barry, Head of Local Government and Partnerships, Agite

Andrew Michl, Manager Credit & Client Relations, NZ Local Government Funding Agency

Facilitator: Nick Leggett, Chief Executive, Infrastructure New Zealand

12:40

Lunch

13:30

SESSION A: Planning Reform, Fast-track Consents, and Infrastructure Funding

Major reforms to New Zealand’s planning system, including changes to the Resource Management Act and the use of fast-track approvals, are reshaping how infrastructure projects move from concept to construction. While these reforms aim to reduce delays and improve certainty, their success will ultimately be measured by whether projects can be funded and delivered.

This session examines the connection between consenting reform and infrastructure funding. It explores how faster, and more predictable approvals affect project bankability, risk allocation, financing costs, and investor confidence across public and private sectors. Drawing on early experiences with fast-track pathways, speakers will discuss whether regulatory reform is genuinely unlocking capital or shifting risk elsewhere in the system.

Graeme Campbell, Principal Advisor Flood Risk Management, Te Uru Ka Hika

Lauren Wallace, Partner, Govett Quilliam and President, RMLA

Facilitator: Danielle Uniza, Policy Manager, Infrastructure New Zealand

13:30

SESSION B: Market-Driven Pricing and User Pays

As infrastructure demand grows, market-driven pricing and user-pays models are gaining renewed attention. This discussion will look at tools like tolling, value capture, and development contributions – alongside the challenges and opportunities of implementing these approaches in Aotearoa.

Clare Sheffield, Director, Ove Arup & Partners

Paul O'Connell, Deputy Chief Executive, Sector Strategy, Ministry of Transport

Sarah Dove, Team Leader - Strategic Transport & Infrastructure, Tauranga City Council

Facilitator: Paul Alexander, Director, Policy, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission | Te Waihanga

14:20

SESSION A: Case Study Spotlight: Funding Social Infrastructure in New Zealand

Meeting Aotearoa’s growing social infrastructure needs requires smart funding solutions amid limited resources. This session will highlight lessons learned from successful projects both here and internationally, offering insights into effective approaches for delivering vital community assets.

Jerome Sheppard, Acting Chief Executive for School Property, Ministry of Education

Nick Howcroft, General Manager of Urban Development and Delivery, Kainga Ora

Campbell Twist, Head of Asset Management, Amber Infrastructure NZ

Facilitator: Sarah Anderson-Butler, Partner, Bell Gully

14:20

SESSION B: Infrastructure for the Future – Renewable Energy Focus: What Will it Take to Build a 2050-Ready New Zealand?

As New Zealand charts its course toward a low-emissions, climate-resilient future, the transformation of our energy infrastructure will be a defining challenge of the next three decades. This session explores what it will truly take to build a 2050-ready nation, one powered by renewable, reliable, and affordable energy. Industry leaders, investors, and policymakers will examine the market, regulatory, and investment signals needed to accelerate the clean energy transition. How can the system evolve to incentivise large-scale renewables while maintaining grid stability and cost competitiveness? What policy and funding mechanisms will unlock confidence. As New Zealand charts its course toward a low-emissions, climate-resilient future, the transformation of our energy infrastructure will be a defining challenge of the next three decades. This session explores what it will truly take to build a 2050-ready nation - one powered by renewable, reliable, and affordable energy.

Dorian Devers, Chief Renewable Growth Officer, Contact Energy

Brendon Jones, Head of Real Assets, New Zealand Superannuation Fund

Karen Boyes, Executive Director, Major Electricity Users' Group (MEUG)

Facilitator: Simon Harvey, Principal Consultant - Strategic Sustainability, Tonkin + Taylor

15:00

Afternoon Tea

15:30

Opposition Spokesperson Address

Infrastructure will be at the forefront of the 2026 election debate. In this session, we’ll hear directly from the Opposition about their infrastructure priorities, policies and planned pipeline. Expect updates from Labour on their approach to funding, financing, and the delivery on major projects.

Kieran McAnulty, Labour Spokesperson for Infrastructure

16:10

Unlocking the Future – Funding Aotearoa’s $206 Billion Infrastructure Pipeline

We’ll close off the conference with a detailed look at where New Zealand’s infrastructure pipeline sits, hearing from those enabling delivery and providing investors with confidence. This session will focus on the benefits of infrastructure, not just the costs and how we can speed up projects without losing any of those benefits. Attendees will also explore the current state of the PPP process, identifying opportunities for improvement and fostering bi-partisan support.

Geoff Cooper, Chief Executive, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission | Te Waihanga

16:45

Conference Summary and Closing Remarks

Nick Leggett, Chief Executive, Infrastructure New Zealand

17:00

Networking Drinks