About the Regional Infrastructure Fund

Strengthening and maintaining regional infrastructure can support regions to respond to shocks such as extreme weather events, and supply chain disruptions.

The RIF will invest in infrastructure projects prioritised by regions and in projects that would otherwise not happen, or which can be accelerated with government investment.

Regional partners will be expected to share the costs of projects that the RIF invests in through co-funding.

The RIF builds on the projects and success of existing regional development investments to improve the infrastructure, resilience and economic prosperity of regional New Zealand.

Eligibility for RIF funding will be guided by criteria that aligns with the overall objective of the fund.

Click here to read the eligibility for the RIF:

Eligibility for the Regional Infrastructure Fund

Non-grant investments will be transferred to Crown Regional Holdings Ltd. (CRHL), a company established by the Government to manage investments on behalf of the Crown. 

Click here to read the RIF’s investment strategy:

Investment strategy for the Regional Infrastructure Fund [PDF, 256 KB]

There are two main project categories for funding allocations:

Resilience infrastructure

This category supports projects that improve a region’s ability to absorb, adapt and/or respond to stresses and shocks. Investment under this category includes flood and weather event protection, water supply resilience (exclusions under this category are most potable water, wastewater, or storm water assets), energy security, water security, food security, connectivity or ensuring the resilience of existing infrastructure.

Enabling infrastructure

These projects will support growth by ensuring regions are well-connected and productive by supporting shared services, innovations facilities and solutions that connect multiple businesses and communities.

To ensure that the RIF maximises its impact across New Zealand, the fund will:

• Predominantly fund capital projects.
• Utilise a combination of loans and equity investments to support project implementation and success. Grants will be available only in very limited cases. Support projects with funding requests of less than $50 million (with some exceptions possible) that have co-investment.
• Include a co-investment element.
• Provide funding that positively contributes to the economic prosperity of regional New Zealand and enables regional growth. Specifically excluded are: Auckland (all elements of the Auckland Unitary Authority), metropolitan Wellington (Wellington City, Lower Hutt City, Upper Hutt City, and Porirua City) and Christchurch City.
• Prioritise projects that are not eligible for funding from other government agencies. This will allow the RIF to fill critical gaps in regional infrastructure development.
• Provide capital funding and create Crown regional assets, primarily through loan and equity investments. Grants will be available only in very limited cases.

Initial RIF funding will focus on areas including flood resilience and Māori development projects.

Read more about the initial focus areas of the RIF:

Initial focus areas of the Regional Infrastructure Fund

The Crown loans and equity investments will be transferred to Crown Regional Holdings (CRHL) to manage. Find out more information about Crown Regional Holdings Limited