City deals or amalgamation? The answer may be both

City DealsInfrastructureInfrastructure funding and financing
Written By Linda Meade

In this article published in the Sunday Star Times we cover the following key points:

  • Belt-tightening by the Government suggests a reluctance to fund local councils' wish-lists.

  • The deal must include all the parties necessarily involved to advance economic prosperity in a city or region, not just the government players.

  • Focus on high-quality growth and jobs, leveraging competitive advantages.

  • Should we pursue city deals or reconsider council amalgamations? Or controversially, should deals be contingent on amalgamation?

  • City deals should be given time and space to develop. A framework, to be released soon by the Government, should seek to be flexible.

  • Starting slow and building seems sensible. Picking those regions that can get their act together across councils, iwi and business and collectively understand their critical advantages, will help sort the wheat from the chaff.

    Read the full article here.

    https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/350341381/city-deals-or-amalgamation-answer-may-be-both

Linda Meade

Linda leads Kalimena’s infrastructure investment advisory work. Linda established Kalimena after a career spanning over a decade respectively at Deloitte and PwC, including time spent in London, Geneva and Wellington. Up until 2020 she was lead partner in New Zealand for Deloitte Access Economics, and the partner in charge of the Infrastructure, Economics and Business Modelling team. Linda’s areas of expertise are in designing and applying investment systems and processes, tailored to the type of infrastructure, the sector, and the desired outcomes. Linda specialises in social infrastructure (education, health, housing) and transport.  She is most interested in projects where there is a clear understanding of the desired outcomes for people and communities in New Zealand, working mostly with public sector clients. 

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