The Special Conditions

07. The cost of stopping: New report on the true cost of infrastructure delays

This week, Hamish and Sam discuss The Cost of Stopping, a new report by economist Shamubeel Eaqub estimating that stop-start infrastructure decision-making has cost New Zealand taxpayers $11.8b over the past 25 years. They unpack where those costs lie, consider how international experience compares, and discuss reactions to the report and its recommendations.

06. Infrastructure, investment and Budget 2026

This week, Hamish and Sam unpack the Government’s latest Budget and what it means in a time of economic uncertainty. They discuss the key infrastructure commitments, how the next few years may compare with the last, and whether the Budget sets a credible path forward. They also consider the Opposition’s response and the counterfactual: what might a Labour Government have done differently? A timely discussion on the choices shaping New Zealand’s economic future.

05. NZCIC: rules, risks, reality

In this episode, Hamish and Sam take a closer look at the NZCIC guidelines and their ongoing relevance for the construction sector. They unpack what the guidelines are designed to achieve, the key issues they raise for principals, contractors, and consultants, and how they continue to shape expectations around procurement, contracting, and project delivery. They also discuss where the guidelines carry real practical weight, and where challenges can still arise in applying them on the ground.

04. Who pays when it goes wrong? Proportionate liability reform returns

In this episode, Hamish and Sam break down the proposed law reform on proportionate liability, why it matters, and what could be addressed in the upcoming changes. They explore the current regime, what to expect from a possible amendment bill later this year, and the key question at the heart of the debate: who should be responsible when something goes wrong?

03. Lessons from the Nordics

Fresh off the plane from Infrastructure New Zealand’s delegation to Sweden and Norway, Hamish is buzzing with ideas. In this episode, he joins Sam to unpack what New Zealand can learn about the Nordic approach to infrastructure funding, including tax settings, user-pays models, and the balance between local and central government. He also dives into the role of consensus in decision-making, the realities of cost escalation and overruns, and why even the biggest mega projects can fail. He shares insights from visiting major infrastructure projects first-hand, explores how these systems power themselves, and discusses the rise of datacentres – including why New Zealand may be uniquely well placed to become a serious player in this space.