The Government's proposal to create Te Waihanga – the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission – as a new autonomous Crown entity to deliver longterm strategy and coordination of infrastructure planning, has welcomed by Civil Contractors NZ. 
Chief executive Peter Silcock says that the proposal acknowledges "the need to lift the quality of the procurement process and set a unified longterm strategy for NZ's infrastructure." 
The Commission's key role of providing impartial, expert advice to inform infrastructure decisionmaking will be essential in tackling the country's infrastructure deficit and providing better information about planned work, Silcock says.
"Having an independent body is likely to result in a stronger, better planned and more consistent pipeline of infrastructure work. This will enable contractors to better utilise resources, encouraging greater investment in our people, new technology and productivity."
Similar infrastructure commissions have been established in Australia and the United Kingdom with successful results, Silcock says. 
Here he believes that better longterm planning will help overcome skills shortfalls by creating a more consistent workflow.
And the Commission's roles in supporting procurement and delivery, setting best practice in the procurement process and providing a shopfront for projects, will give better value for money for construction projects, businesses and workers, he adds.
"We are delighted that the Government has seen the need for an independent body to set the way forward. An independent infrastructure commission will go a long way to reducing the impact of political swings and divisive debates that have stood in the way of progress."
He says it's critical to ensure that competent people are appointed to the Commission to ensure it's up to the job.