With each minister taking multiple portfolios, the finance minister is Grant Robertson, while Phil Twyford is both minister for housing and transport and Chris Hipkins takes the education portfolio. Andrew Little is the justice minister.
All four have been critical of PPP schemes while in opposition, however in a radio interview in April Little said the party was open to PPP and overseas investment in infrastructure.
The future of the country’s PPP policy has been thrown in doubt since NZ First decided last week to throw its lot in with Labour, meaning that the incumbent National Party will now head into opposition.
However, Auckland’s Mayor Phil Goff, a key proponent of the model, was in London last week to learn more about PPP.
Goff met with Arup director Richard de Cani, Mike Brown, commissioner for Transport for London, Sir Terry Morgan, chairman of Crossrail Ltd, Keith Howells, chairman of Mott McDonald.
The visit coincided with the launch of expressions of interest (EoI) by Auckland for the $1bn Central Interceptor wastewater project. The EoI is for the industry to become familiar with the project and the proposed delivery methods. The project will be tendered in 2018.