Certainty, skills, common sense: NZ First’s Shane Jones

Building a Stronger New Zealand: Certainty, Skills, and Common Sense Reform: As we head toward the upcoming election, New Zealand First remains focused on restoring a bit of good old fashioned common sense to government and that starts with recognising the construction sector for what it truly is: the engine room of our economy. Every home, every road, every piece of infrastructure that keeps this country moving begins with the people who build it. And right now, those people are facing some of the toughest conditions in years.

Talk to any builder or contractor and you’ll hear the same themes: material prices that jump overnight, delays caused by endless paperwork, a workforce stretched thin, and project pipelines that rise and fall like the tide. These aren’t abstract policy problems — they’re daily realities affecting businesses, families, and communities.

Cutting Red Tape and Fixing Consenting: One of the clearest messages we’ve heard from the sector is that the system has become too complicated to function. That’s why, as set out in the Coalition Agreement, we repealed the Natural and Built Environment Act 2023 and the Spatial Planning Act 2023. They were overly complex, expensive, and risked grinding development to a halt.

We’re replacing them with two new bills designed to simplify consenting, improve procurement, and make it easier to access building materials. On top of that, we’re rolling out a fast track, one stop shop consenting process for major regional and national projects because critical infrastructure shouldn’t sit in limbo for years.

And for everyday New Zealanders, we’ve made it easier to build small structures like granny flats up to 60sqm with only an engineer’s report. It’s a practical change that frees up families and helps ease pressure on the housing market.

Facing Sector Challenges Head On: We know the challenges you’re dealing with including but not limited to unpredictable supply chains, rising insurance costs, slow payment practices, and the constant struggle to find skilled workers. These pressures hit small and medium sized firms the hardest. Our reforms are aimed at giving you more certainty, more stability, and fewer hoops to jump through.

Investing in Infrastructure and Regional Growth: Construction thrives when the country invests in its future. That’s why New Zealand First has established a $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund to ensure rural and provincial communities get the assets they need to grow. This is backed by the new National Infrastructure Agency, which coordinates funding and connects investors with major projects giving the sector the long term visibility it has been asking for.

Strengthening the Workforce and Backing Local Industry: We’re maintaining the Apprenticeship Boost scheme and pushing for wage subsidies for employers who take on young, unemployed New Zealanders in trades training. And we’re backing local industry — including requiring government departments to use New Zealand wool over synthetic alternatives in government buildings.

A Stable Foundation for the Sector: New Zealand First is committed to providing the balance, stability, and practical decision making needed for builders and contractors to get on with the job. You build the foundations of this country. Our job is to make sure the policy environment supports you every step of the way.