OpinionOpinion byDavid JenkinsNZ Herald·19 Aug, 2026 04:59 PM4 mins to readDavid Jenkins is chief executive of the Institute of Public Works Engineering AustralasiaIn Melbourne, planting more trees and designing better water systems isn't just about making the city look nicer. It helps cool suburbs, manage stormwater, and improve well-being. Photo / 123rfWe are very good at fixing yesterday’s problems.
Across our cities and communities, people work hard every day to repair roads, maintain water systems, and to keep infrastructure running. But too often, the way decisions are made forces them into a cycle of short-term fixes, responding to what’s urgent today
