Sentiment
Welcome to AECOM's Sentiment infrastructure and buildings construction survey
New Zealand continues to progress through an era of growth, and the way we plan and build our cities and regions is an integral part of this growth. We believe that an industry-wide conversation about how best to tackle this future development is beneficial and will help to ensure robust and sustainable outcomes.
As a company, we are committed to delivering a better world. With the infrastructure and buildings Sentiment survey in its twelfth year, we are continuing our mission to collect valuable industry insights and to ensure we are well-positioned to take on the challenges and opportunities that confront our industry.
2024 report
After pausing the survey in 2023 due to extreme weather events and the general elections, this year's survey reveals several key themes, including a nationwide decline in sentiment. Compared to the peak optimism seen in 2022, sentiment has now dropped to levels reminiscent of the mid-2010s.
The survey highlights a shift in industry sentiment due to governance challenges, infrastructure pressures, and public sector restructuring. A contracting buildings market, driven by policy changes and reduced migration to this sector, adds to these pressures. Despite steady confidence in transport and water investment, inflation, supply chain disruptions, and workforce shortages are delaying healthcare projects. Optimism in the road sector contrasts with declining sentiment in rail, three waters, and building construction, where funding uncertainty and rising costs are causing delays and job losses.
Cyclone Gabrielle underscored the urgency for climate-resilient infrastructure. The industry is prioritising lower-carbon solutions, strategic funding, and integrating sustainability to address New Zealand's ageing assets and broader infrastructure deficit.
The Sentiment report shines the spotlight on various sectors, including transport, water, sustainability and resilience, and energy, along with the challenges these sectors face.
Industry spotlight
Several key themes have emerged from this year's survey, including the need for a better understanding of the pipeline of future projects in order for organisations to build the capacity to deliver critical infrastructure sustainably. Overall optimism in the country has weakened slightly, though it has been more pronounced in Wellington than in other regions.
This year's survey reveals that challenges related to governance and regulations, poor procurement and global market conditions have increased compared to previous years.
Global insights
Articles from AECOM's regional and global leaders provide unique perspectives on similar challenges faced around the world and drive conversation about how we can apply learnings to deliver infrastructure in New Zealand better.
Previous editions
Interested in reading previous editions of our annual Sentiment report and how the industry has evolved over the years? All previous editions can be found below.
Please note: due to the coronavirus pandemic, we did not conduct the Sentiment survey in 2020.
