Fran O'Sullivan: NZME business commentator on the problems impacting New Zealand's infrastructure

It's been a bad week for infrastructure incidents, with increased pressure on the Government to find a solution.

Between a Defence Force plane breaking down, a toppled power pylon wiping out Northland's power and the grounding of an Interislander ferry, concern is growing about a potential disaster.

NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan explains where the Government can go from here.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, geez, do you need reminding that our infrastructure is
but broken? The plane can't take off as a PM's plane,
and now you've got the fairies unable to be steered.
Fran O'Sullivan is m zme's business commentator and with us
to talk through the commiserations of the situation.

Speaker 2 (00:14):
Fran good evening.

Speaker 1 (00:16):
How do we fix it?

Speaker 2 (00:19):
Well, personally, I don't think they should have canceled the
big Fairies. I think they should have done that in
the infrastructure they've worked on several levels. They were also
going to be very efficient on carbon emissions and that
matters over time and then long term assets. I mean,
you're only talking and I can say the fast three
four five billion, and if you put that against cost
of second Halb crossings in Auckland, you put that against

(00:43):
light railcasts, you put that against a raft thing city
rail link, all of that. I actually think the link
between the two islands is actually pretty central. And unfortunately
they unless you know, the Korean ship owners have now
got them by the proverbial, because there's no way in
hell they're going to agree to some sort of sensible

(01:05):
break feg. That they were well downe the track of
starting to build these things. So essentially, do you know if.

Speaker 1 (01:12):
We can continue with the big ferries without doing all
the port work.

Speaker 2 (01:18):
No, we can't. We need to do for that, and
there's an argument which says that should occur. I mean
you look at Wellington and you look at the issues
around seismic activity, a lot of that stuff which is
really wasn't really worked through at the beginning. You know,
they can't put it right in the center city because

(01:38):
of all of that. They have to put it up
the coast, further up the harbor, and so you know
there are a range of issues there. I just think
this is one of those quick decisions that are made
to make a point on a prior government as well
that haven't been really appropriately addressed. The problem they've now
got is all these maintenance failures, which is what they are,

(01:58):
and that unfortunate. We'll rebound on the government whether or
not it stacks up, simply because if there is a
major incident. What happened the other day was incredibly bad.
I mean just had new Starring kit pull and don't forget,
yes there was Waheni, but there was also the Mikhail Lermantoff.
We have had major shipping disasters and we're damn lucky

(02:21):
that wasn't in the Strait with a high sea running
when it occurred. It was a great story also the
other day by George Georgina Campbell, which actually pointed to
you know, wiring being fried essentially because it had been
papered over with with tape that disintegrate. Yes, and this

(02:42):
is sort of the history of bad maintenance. So and
then we have a pylon falling over in the North
Island simply because some idiot took all the screws out
at once. And even some kid playing with their lego
kit could tell you don't do that. So, I mean,
this is barking stuff. I think we have a major problem.
And the problem at the straight out problem is maintenance.

(03:05):
Right now, I agree with you.

Speaker 1 (03:06):
Now, friend, listen, this is your last chat with us
in the slot. Can I just say thank you for
all of the years that you've fronted up and given
us your commentary and your expertise. We really appreciate it.

Speaker 2 (03:17):
Thank you very much and good luck also with the show, Heather,
it's been a pleasure being on it with you and
the team, and also with Larry Williams. Prior to that,
and it's a great station and I'm sure you'll take
it to New Heights.

Speaker 1 (03:30):
Oh, thank you, Fannon. We will definitely have you a
back around and about because we can't do without your expertise.
Thank you so much. Look after yourself. That's fran O Sullivan,
en Zimy's business commentator.

Speaker 2 (03:39):
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