Water and sewage overtakes housing as New Zealanders' top infrastructure priority

Water supply and sewage is now New Zealanders' top infrastructure investment priority, with 47% ranking it first in the Ipsos Infrastructure Monitor released 24 August 2026. Housing supply, which led at 55% in 2024, has fallen to sixth. Solar energy jumped from sixth to second at 40%, with flood protection third at 39%. Ipsos country manager Carin Hercock said the results marked a shift from two years earlier.