8:00

Doors Open

8:45

Mihi Whakatau

9:00

International Keynote: Learning from Global Success

Building today; Shaping Tomorrow: Queensland is in the middle of its largest infrastructure boom in decades. With a focus on every corner of the vast state, and spurred by the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane, it’s all go. Key projects include major rail and road upgrades to move improve freight movements, congestion and connectivity. There’s a strong push into the energy transition sector, including large-scale renewable energy and transmission projects. The boom is being leveraged to support housing, regional growth and build what’s needed for the Summer Games – a multi decade endeavour positioning the state for higher population, more diversified industries and long-term economic growth.

We’ll hear from an expert on how Queensland is managing such an ambitious project – how they’ve achieved political consensus, and crucially how they are paying for it all.

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.

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-germ 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

12:00

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.

12:40

Lunch

13:30

SESSION A: Asset Recycling

Asset recycling has the potential to unlock significant economic value – so how do we make it part of the election conversation? This session explores how to turn existing infrastructure into future capital, featuring a case study on process and outcomes. We’ll also look at how to effectively communicate with the public and manage expectations, and how different asset recycling models can be applied in an Aotearoa context.

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.

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.

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.

15:00

Afternoon Tea

15:20

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.

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.

16:45

Conference Summary and Closing Remarks

Nick Leggett, Chief Executive, Infrastructure New Zealand

17:00

Networking Drinks