2 weeks Ago By Roger Partridge
THREE KEY FACTS New Zealand faces a $210 billion infrastructure deficit , despite owning a vast array of assets. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is open to asset recycling, inspired by New South Wales’ success. Selling underperforming Crown assets could fund critical infrastructure without increasing debt or taxes.
Imagine owning a fortune in investments while lacking the ready cash to fix your crumbling house. That is New Zealand’s position today. The country faces a projected $210 billion infrastructure deficit , with congested roads, ageing water systems and inadequate healthcare facilities.
Meanwhile, the Crown owns a sprawling collection of assets. They range from essential public infrastructure like roads, hospitals and schools to an eclectic jumble of commercial enterprises with no logical connection to each other. The Crown’s asset portfolio shows no sign of any strategic investment approach.
The paradox is stark: we are asset-rich on paper yet service-poor in reality. In an earlier column this year , I explored how we ended up in this situation. The question now is what to do about it.
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