2020 – Project Auckland: It’s a Game Changer

Just prior to the full unleashing of the Covid-19 pandemic the 2020 Project Auckland report was published. 2020 was to be a defining year for Auckland. The Coalition Government unveiled a big infrastructure spend-up with Auckland to get the lion’s share of $6.8 billion new funds that was to be invested in transport infrastructure – with an emphasis on roads and rail. This meant projects that had long been in the pipeline would finally get underway and access to new housing and industrial estates would be improved easing congestion in Auckland.

The exact details were announced in a special presentation by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Finance Minister Grant Robertson, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Climate Minister James Shaw before Waitangi Day, following the publication of the report.  A decision on light rail was to be announced in early March and the fate of Auckland’s working port by mid-year.

The Government also stepped up the ability for more houses to be funded in Auckland by allowing Housing NZ to double its bond programme so more houses could be built to take the pressure off demand from a growing population.

Project Auckland 2020 was an in depth report that canvassed the opportunities the changed tempo presented for both public and private sector infrastructure providers; put forward solutions for roadblocks and visionary ideas from thought-leaders. It considered the impact for Auckland – prior to the knowledge of what was to come with the global pandemic – as the country geared up for election year and 2021 when Auckland was due to be on show as it hosts the Americas Cup and the APEC Leaders Meeting.

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