New index highlights where investment will have the most impact for NZ's infrastructure resilience

18/02/2026

“Targeted investment will help make New Zealand’s infrastructure more resilient, as Auckland and Northland identified as our most vulnerable regions”

As New Zealand faces an increasing number of extreme weather events, research out today paints a comprehensive picture of how resilient New Zealand’s infrastructure is, and where investment can deliver the greatest benefits.

The New Zealand Infrastructure Resilience Index, compiled by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER), and commissioned by Downer, draws on data across electricity, roading, telecommunications and water to measure how regions can withstand and recover from shocks such as severe weather and natural disasters.

Infrastructure New Zealand says the report shows why proactive rather than reactive spending on infrastructure is crucial.

Auckland and Northland are identified as the most vulnerable regions, largely due to vulnerable energy supply. Dependence on critical transmission points and exposure to severe weather events compound the risks the regions face.

Waikato and Southland the show strongest resilience, supported by more stable infrastructure performance across the four sectors.

Downer Managing Director, New Zealand, Murray Robertson says it highlights the entire country’s vulnerability.

“This isn’t about highlighting flaws, but about providing an evidence-based guide on where investment and maintenance will have the most impact for our country. The Government’s draft National Infrastructure plan emphasises maintenance first, sustainable funding, better project readiness/assurance, and coordinated planning. The index shows how interconnected our infrastructure is, and how strengthening one part of the system can deliver flow-on benefits across others.”

Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Nick Leggett says a national conversation needs to be had about how we fund resilient infrastructure.

“Spending more today to avoid disruption tomorrow is not wasteful. It reduces emergency repair bills, insurance losses and the social costs borne by communities when infrastructure fails,” he says.

The report recognises the significant work that central and local government, industry, iwi, and communities have already undertaken to strengthen infrastructure resilience. Many of the findings align with the Government’s draft National Infrastructure Plan, which emphasises the importance of maintenance, coordinated planning, and investing in resilience.

As part of the research NZIER studied the Infrastructure Commission’s pipeline. NZIER Deputy Chief Executive Christina Leung says while the volume of proposed projects is encouraging, long-term resilience will depend on how well infrastructure investment assesses current and future risks across the country.

“We found that in the infrastructure pipeline, most activity is concentrated in Auckland, Waikato, and Canterbury, reflecting both population demands and regional investment priorities.”

The research also shows communities in regions with higher deprivation are often more vulnerable to infrastructure shocks, such as severe weather events, with fewer resources to respond and recover.

Gisborne has the highest deprivation score with the highest percentage of its population in the lowest deciles. Its resilience is also reduced by exposure to weather events (cyclones) and its geographic isolation. It scores low on electricity, roading and telecommunications.

The report’s key recommendation is that maintenance is the single biggest enabler of resilience. 

Downer is committed to updating the Index annually to track progress and to guide where investment can best strengthen infrastructure resilience.