Direction 4: Ensure Auckland’s infrastructure is future-proofed

It is essential that Auckland's infrastructure is well-functioning and can withstand short-term shocks, such as flooding. It also needs to work well in the long-term, particularly in the face of climate changes.

Climate change will put additional strain on our infrastructure. New infrastructure will need to recognise future pressures and be resilient and adaptable.

Much of our infrastructure, such as water supply, wastewater, stormwater networks and power supply networks are ageing and does not meet modern requirements or expectations.

Aerial view of a storm water upgrade in Auckland.

Photograph of a stormwater improvement project from above

This can have negative impacts, such as:

poor water quality from ageing wastewater networks with insufficient capacity increased
greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels-dependent transport
reduced resilience to climate change.

Find out more by reading Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri Auckland’s Climate Plan.

Transport infrastructure can have harmful environmental impacts, such as run-off from roads. This run-off pollutes our waterways.

This is addressed under the Transport and access outcome.

New infrastructure requires a significant investment of time and money.

We have to start now to create the systems and services we want in the future.

This means that we:

need to build flexibility and adaptability into infrastructure design to ensure it is easier to modify and respond to changing needs
must reduce and potentially eliminate the impacts of inefficient infrastructure through retrofits and upgrades and finding alternative ways to deliver core services.

New ways of delivering core services can range from decentralising power supplies to recycling wastewater and turning waste into resources.

We also need to consider bolder initiatives, such as retreating from some coastal areas and avoiding flood inundation zones to ensure development is sustainable over the long-term.

Direction 4: Ensure Auckland’s infrastructure is future-proofed

Related information

More information about this outcome

Focus area 1: Encourage all Aucklanders to be stewards of the natural environment, and to make sustainable choices

Focus area 2: Focus on restoring environments as Auckland grows

Focus area 3: Account fully for the past and future impacts of growth

Focus area 4: Protect Auckland’s significant natural environments and cultural heritage from further loss

Focus area 5: Adapt to a changing water future

Focus area 6: Use green infrastructure to deliver greater resilience, long-term cost savings and quality environmental outcomes

Implementing the environment and cultural heritage outcome

Environment and cultural heritage explained

Direction 1: Ensure Auckland’s natural environment and cultural heritage is valued and cared for

Direction 2: Apply a Māori world view to treasure and protect our natural environment (taonga tuku iho)

Direction 3: Use Auckland’s growth and development to protect and enhance the natural environment