About Us

Te Waihanga seeks to transform infrastructure for all New Zealanders. By doing so our goal is to lift the economic performance of Aotearoa and improve the wellbeing of all New Zealanders.

Te Waihanga

In te reo Māori Te Waihanga means a cornerstone, or to make, create, develop, build, construct, generate.

Our establishment

The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga was officially formed by the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission/Te Waihanga Act 2019(external link) on 25 September 2019.

We are an autonomous Crown entity, listed under the Crown Entities Act 2004, with an independent board.

The Treasury consulted with public and private sector stakeholders in late 2018 to test their views on the shape and role of any new infrastructure body. Some 130 submissions(external link) were received. The feedback was used to inform recommendations to the Minister and in February 2019 the Government outlined(external link) the form, functions and name of the Commission. A Cabinet paper(external link) released at the time provided more detailed information.

Te Waihanga's mandate arises from its legislation, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Rules of Procurement(external link) and the State Services Investment Management System(external link) which sets out Cabinet’s expectations regarding the management of investments through their lifecycles.

Defining infrastructure

Infrastructure: "A system of inter-connected physical structures that employ capital to provide shared services to enhance wellbeing."

Board

Te Waihanga's Board comprises a Chair and six directors, combining significant economic expertise with legal, financial, regulatory, and on-the-ground experience.

Leadership Team

Te Waihanga is made up of five teams: Chief Executive’s Office, Strategy, Infrastructure Delivery, Policy and Operations. Our Chief Executive and leadership team work collaboratively with the Board to set and guide Te Waihanga’s strategic direction.

Corporate Publications

A collection of our latest corporate publications, including our statement of intent and statement of expectations.

Titles of Advice

Te Waihanga releases the titles of advice to the Minister for Infrastructure for each calendar month approximately six weeks after the last day of each month. The advice we provide the Minister for Infrastructure includes reports, briefings and aides memoire.