Why Infrastructure Maintenance Might Be The Real Megaproject

Why Infrastructure Maintenance Might Be The Real Megaproject

From The Strong Towns Podcast by Strong Towns

March 30, 2026 · 50 min · Episode 695

About this episode

Geoff Cooper and Chuck Marohn discuss New Zealand's infrastructure plan focusing on maintenance and its implications for public budgets and megaprojects.

New Zealand’s infrastructure commission added up every sector’s project wish‑list—and found a bill voters could never realistically pay. In this conversation, Geoff Cooper and Chuck Marohn unpack the national plan that starts by centering maintenance and renewals, then shows how that shifts the debate over big new projects, growth on the fringe, and the pressure on public budgets. Additional Show Notes Geoff Cooper (LinkedIn) Te Waihanga (Site) Te Waihanga National Infrastructure Plan (Site) Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Thank you!

People in this episode

Guests: Geoff Cooper, Chuck Marohn

Topics covered

  • infrastructure maintenance
  • national infrastructure plan
  • public budgets
  • megaprojects
  • urban growth
  • New Zealand

Keywords

  • infrastructure
  • maintenance
  • New Zealand
  • public budgets
  • megaprojects
  • urban planning

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Te Waihanga

More episodes of The Strong Towns Podcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Strong Towns Podcast podcast page.