LINZ - Authoritative & Federated Land & Seabed Information

Author: James Dempsey
Date: 15 October 2009 - 2 Comments

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) holds some significant pieces of land information such as our geodetic system, cadastral survey, land register and topographic and hydrographic datasets.

Although these datasets are a small part of the total NZ geospatial information pool, they are important foundation layers that can be built upon and combined with other datasets.

LINZ is committed to improving access to spatial information and our current Statement of Intent identifies two key outcome areas related to this that LINZ will focus on over the next three years.

The first outcome is providing 'authoritative land and seabed information' - so that people who need our land information can access it easily and be confident in how they communicate and make decisions about locations based on its application.

The second outcome is 'federated geospatial information' - a system where the datasets that are distributed throughout the country are linked together and are able to be combined and used by the community. This system requires agencies throughout the sector to contribute to be truly federated. LINZ has a core role in developing this system and leading agencies to collaborate.

As part of LINZ's commitment to spatial information, we're taking the following initiatives over the next year:

• We've launched the new NZTopo50 maps (on 23 September 2009) based off a new datum and projection. We'll continue to provide paper maps (still in high demand), but people can also download for free from the LINZ website raster digital images, provided in two formats: (1) TIFF - the whole map including legend and index (essentially what the hard copy map looks like but in electronic format), and (2) GeoTIFF - spatial data area only, with georeferencing (that can be used a base layers in Geographic Information Systems). Please note that if you want to download more than one TIFF or GeoTIFF image, it is easier to contact the LINZ helpline (0800 665 463) or email the LINZ Topographic Product and Service Owner for the complete set for a region or the whole country.
• In addition to providing raster digital images, LINZ will make vector-based topographic data available to download for free from the LINZ website in shapefile format - commonly used by many Geographic Information Systems.
• We'll also be working on how we update topographic information and how that update is rolled out - a version control issue that will impact on emergency services, so needs to be carefully considered.
• We're investigating how to improve access to our paper survey and title records. LINZ faces the same challenges as anyone looking to move a large amount of paper into the electronic age, where it isn't feasible to scan everything. We're working on establishing indexes, what degree of imaging is appropriate, and how this should be accessed.
• We're continuing to produce and maintain Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC's). The electronic format of ENCs, when used with Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), integrates with other navigational systems and gives mariners access to a wide range of informational features to aid safe navigation.
• We're investigating the development of an infrastructure to support the re-use of spatial information, and are looking to build on models that have been effective overseas, such as Shared Land Information Platform in Western Australia.
• A key early building block for this infrastructure is the development of a catalogue to capture the wealth of spatial information about New Zealand. LINZ is supporting work to develop such a catalogue, with LINZ-held data included from the outset. The catalogue will be based on the ANZLIC metadata standard, so the spatial data is described (metadata) consistently. The catalogue will assist discovery of spatial information and provide metadata such as how accurate the information is, when it was last up-dated, and where to get the information.
• We're working with the State Services Commission on developing the New Zealand Government Open Access Licensing (NZGOAL) Framework by applying the framework to datasets held by LINZ.

The importance of shaping our strategic direction for greater access to information has been highlighted by the recent findings of the report on the value of spatial information to the New Zealand economy. How LINZ manages the risks and opportunities involved in freeing up its data will fundamentally affect how the spatial sector, amongst others, makes use of that data, and how as an organisation we contribute to a healthier economy and improved standard of living in New Zealand.

James Dempsey

Customer Services Strategy Manager
Land Information New Zealand