Developing the New Zealand Geospatial Strategy

In October 2004, the New Zealand government noted its increasing reliance on geospatial information for a wide range of activities, and also noted the limited coordination between agencies developing and using that information. Widespread external support was expressed for the development of a coordinated approach and a strategy for geospatial information.

The New Zealand Geospatial Strategy was developed in 2006 and agreed by Cabinet in October that year. The Strategy was published in January 2007.

The need for coordination

Without proper coordination of geospatial information, problems arise such as agencies purchasing geospatial information in isolation and applying different technological standards to it. This situation often leads to duplication of effort, incompatible data formats, and a divergence of regimes for finding and administrating data.

New Zealand Geospatial Strategy partners

The Strategy was developed by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) in late-2006 in consultation with:

Geospatial Advisory Committee (GAC)

The GAC developed the initial phase of the work programme to implement the Strategy.

In late-2008, the governance arrangements supporting the Strategy were reviewed. The review aimed to clarify the roles involved in the Strategy's governance and implementation, and to strengthen the governance of the Strategy at a strategic policy level. The review proposed the current governance structure approved in early-2009.

As part of the new structure the GAC was replaced by a Geospatial Steering Committee (GSC). The role of Geospatial Custodian also replaced the previous role of Director in heading the NZGO.

The GSC was established in April 2010.

As at November 2008, the GAC was comprised of representatives from: