Implementation of the Geospatial Strategy

This output provides for the New Zealand Geospatial Office’s (NZGO) role in leading the New Zealand Geospatial Strategy.89

Summary of performance

2010/11 saw the NZGO transitioning from a phase of awareness-raising on the importance of geospatial data to coordinating planning for, and implementing, the activities that will deliver a national spatial data infrastructure (SDI) by 2014.

Our plans were broadly validated early in the year by the Performance Improvement Framework (PIF) formal review, which was released in September 2010. However, the PIF review did identify the opportunity to strengthen our mandate, which resulted in our developing a Cabinet paper for accelerating the geospatial agenda. We also took opportunities to provide geospatial data tools and advice for Auckland spatial planning and Canterbury recovery and rebuilding.

This meant delaying development of formal programme-wide project planning and monitoring and evaluation frameworks (as outlined in the measure table overleaf). These are now in place for 2011/12.

Our activities helped to effect a significant shift in awareness and enthusiasm for geospatial information tools, demonstrated the productive use of geospatial data in action, and strengthened our role as cross-government leader of the Strategy.

Our achievements are summarised in the Year in review section of this report (see Increasing the productive use of geospatial information). Key activities under this output included:

  • Development of a spatial viewer to showcase central government geospatial data on Auckland and to help support development of the Auckland Council’s spatial plan.90
  • Cabinet agreement to LINZ leading the development of a national SDI, and recruitment of additional NZGO staff to lead the key work streams for achieving the SDI.
  • Assistance with a Cabinet paper on active release of government’s high-value public data, which integrates the Geospatial Strategy with the wider aims for open data.
  • Addition of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and private sector representation to the Geospatial Executives Group (GEG) to increase collaboration and sector-wide support for the Strategy.91
  • Development of guidance and recommended standards for technical staff in government agencies for taking part in an SDI92 and enhancements to www.geodata.govt.nz, the online gateway to discovering the geospatial and environmental datasets held by government agencies.93
  • Agreement from the GEG and Geospatial Steering Committee94 to the 13 nationally important data themes for the SDI, and assignment of stewardship of three priority datasets to LINZ (the cadastre and imagery) and NZTA (roads).
  • Ensuring New Zealand government, industry, and academic representation on the trans-Tasman Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information (CRCSI).
  • Development of an education web portal in partnership with private industry to provide online geospatial lessons for schools.
Performance measures 2010/11
Budget standard
2010/11
Actual
2009/10
Actual
Quantity
The percentage of governance and
project activity is undertaken in
accordance with an agreed monitoring
and evaluation framework.
100% We continued to monitor
a range of project activity
through Ministerial and
business plan reporting
and staff performance
agreements.
A process for defining and
monitoring project activity
within the formal geospatial
programme of work has
been implemented from the
beginning of 2011/12.
Research was undertaken
in 2010/11 to assist with the
scoping and prioritisation
of the work programme
for the New Zealand
Geospatial Strategy.
Activity commenced
in accordance with the
monitoring and evaluation
framework as it has
existed to date.
A formal performance
evaluation framework
was established in
June 2010 and will serve
as input for activities
in the future.
The percentage of projects in the
work programme under the
Geospatial Strategy will be delivered
in accordance with project plans.
95% as determined
by the Geospatial
Steering Committee
Following Cabinet approval
of a paper on accelerating
the geospatial work
programme in December
2010, a three-year vision
for the creation of a national
spatial data infrastructure
was developed in
conjunction with the
governance groups, and
more detailed projected
planning commenced.
A formal work programme,
with associated projects,
has been agreed. Definition
documents for all associated
projects are being developed
and approved by
September 2012.
All completed projects
in the strategy work
programme were delivered
in accordance with
project plans.
The Geospatial Steering
Committee was not in
existence to review work
programme project
delivery compliance.
Quantity
All LINZ-specific projects, identified
under the Geospatial Strategy,
will be delivered in accordance
with timeframes approved by the
Geospatial Steering Committee.
100% The work LINZ will be
undertaking in response
to the Cabinet paper was
tabled with the Geospatial
Executives Group in
June 2011.
A formal work programme
has been developed with
high-level timeframes for
LINZ projects. Where
appropriate, these will be
reported back to the
Geospatial Steering
Committee.
All completed strategy
projects were delivered in
accordance with timeframes.
The Geospatial Steering
Committee was not in
existence to review project
timeframe compliance.

89 As the government’s authoritative source of advice on land information-related matters, LINZ is responsible for the leadership of the Strategy. The NZGO is based in LINZ and is the coordinating body for implementing the Strategy. Geospatial policy advice was also funded through this output in 2010/11.
90 We developed this with the Auckland Policy Office.
91 The GEG is responsible for managing successful delivery of the Strategy. The Group is chaired by the Chief Executive of LINZ. The Group also comprises chief executives from five central government agencies and has local government representation.
92 This guidance, the SDI cookbook, can be accessed via geospatial.govt.nz
93 Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Innovation. The catalogue was still in a prototype stage during the year.
94 The governance group responsible for implementing the Geospatial Strategy. A range of central and local government agencies and sectors are represented on the Committee.