Recognising nature as infrastructure offers Aotearoa New Zealand multiple benefits including economic resilience
Natural assets must be recognised as core infrastructure if Aotearoa New Zealand is to strengthen its economy and resilience according to a new plan launched at Parliament today by The Aotearoa Circle.
The Natural Infrastructure Plan is the culmination of nearly a year’s work involving more than 200 contributors. It states that our wetlands, forests, dunes, waterways and soils should be treated as productive infrastructure, not background scenery, that underpins economic activity.
The Aotearoa Circle Chief Executive Vicki Watson says addressing New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit of more than $200 billion, with up to $1 trillion needed over the next 30 years, coupled with climate exposure, requires new thinking.
“We can’t afford to rely solely on traditional ‘hard’ engineering solutions,” she says. “Natural infrastructure provides a 1+1=3 opportunity - it can reduce flood and erosion risk, improve biodiversity all while strengthening long-term economic resilience. It is a valuable tool in the infrastructure toolkit.”
David Carter, Executive Chair Beca, and Guardian of The Aotearoa Circle agrees adding the immense ‘hidden value’ natural infrastructure provides tends to be taken for granted until extreme events occur. “At this point the inability of 'hard’ infrastructure to provide the required resilience alone is evident for all to see.”
The plan aligns with the Infrastructure Commission’s call for a shift from short-term thinking to long-term value in its National Infrastructure Plan. While much future infrastructure funding will be absorbed by maintenance (60 cents in every future dollar ), natural systems often require significantly lower financial upkeep yet deliver multiple co-benefits.
The Circle’s plan includes six case studies, assessed and summarised by Beca, that demonstrate measurable financial returns, risk reduction, job creation and environmental and social gains. The plan also includes an investment decision toolkit to aid evaluation of nature-based solutions alongside traditional infrastructure options.
Watson says the urgency is clear. “Seventy percent of our exports depend on natural resources. Severe weather events are increasing and they create economic uncertainty. Our natural systems already buffer floods, protect coastlines and support productivity but we rarely account for their value and invest appropriately.”
The plan outlines three immediate priorities for Government:
1. Include ‘natural infrastructure’ in the definition of infrastructure - specifically section 3, the NZ Planning Bill (2025) with a cross reference to the Natural Environment Bill (2025)
2. Recognise Aotearoa New Zealand’s economic dependency on natural infrastructure as a national risk by including this in the National Risk and Resilience Framework.
3. Bolster central and local government understanding of natural infrastructure, including its ecosystem and resiliency benefits, to ensure it is not only included, but expected, as options in infrastructure solutions.
For the private sector it calls for:
1. The insurance sector to raise awareness of the benefits of natural infrastructure to demonstrate how insurance can remain accessible.
2. Continued work on innovative funding models and finance mechanisms that can fund natural infrastructure at scale.
3. Bolstering private sector capability by showcasing and sharing case studies of natural infrastructure to better understand the financial and multiple benefit opportunities.
Aaron Hewson, the Circle’s Rangatahi Advisory Panel member for AGMARDT, and a contributor to the plan, believes it presents significant opportunities for future leaders.
“If we can minimise harm from adverse events, like communities and farms being flooded, then just imagine what that would free us up to invest in instead. The opportunities are immense if we genuinely look after nature and recognise the value and opportunity it presents for our infrastructure, our economy, and our futures.”
Watson says momentum is expected to build following today’s launch particularly in building capability and awareness of what natural infrastructure can achieve. “We often believe that growth is at the expense of the environment. This plan shows we can have both.”
The Natural Infrastructure Plan and supporting material is available to download here.
