Geovisualisation OSS Seminar Commuting patterns in New Zealand

Author: John Forne
Thursday 24 September 2009, 2:30pm to 3:30pm - Spectrum Theatre, BP House, Cnr Customhouse Quay and Johnston St, Wellington

Commuting patterns in New Zealand have come under increasing scrutiny because of growing public and government interest in sustainability. This interest arose because of legislative changes, such as the Local Government Act 2002, which required local councils to consider sustainability in their 10-year development plans. Larger city councils have promoted more sustainable commuting options such as public transport, walking, and cycling. Better information about commuting is important to help inform government and society.

In response to demand from planners and local councils for better information on commuting, in July 2009, Statistics New Zealand produced a report, Commuting Patterns in New Zealand: 1996-2006, and an experimental interactive visualisation product. The DVD, which is available on request, contains approximately 80 visualisations including travel to work and home by mode of transport, occupation, industry, and ethnic group.

The report can be found here.

This presentation will showcase the innovative visualisation techniques and discuss the methodologies that were developed.  Three different techniques were applied to commuting data: developing information about distance travelled, visualising flows, and primary linkage analysis (producing experimental labour market areas). The original report focused on the cities of Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, but for this seminar we have expanded the analysis to include information for Dunedin and Hamilton, after an enthusiastic response from local papers highlighting the widespread regional interest in commuting patterns.

To register:

Please complete the online registration form.

Numbers are limited and places will be allocated on a first come-first served basis.

The Spectrum Theatre is located at BP House on the corner of Customhouse Quay and Johnston St. Access is from Johnston Street via Spectrum Health & Fitness Reception.

A PDF copy of this advert is available on the Statisphere website.