The infrastructure construction sector is increasingly pessimistic about the lack of work

A new survey by the Civil Contracting New Zealand association shows just 16-percent of businesses are positive about their outlook, compared to 50-percent four years ago.

A third of smaller companies expect their revenue to fall this year.

Three quarters of all companies identify the shortage of projects as the biggest issue they're facing.

Just under half are confident of being able to withstand and overcome their challenges.