Strategic Goal 3: e-delivery Excellence

Our objective

LINZ primary customers exclusively use electronic channels, consistent with the e-government strategy.

Contribution to end outcomes

Certainty of New Zealand's property rights and interests.

Availability of land information.

Contribution to intermediate outcomes

An effective system for defining and transacting land through:

• readily obtainable information – directly or indirectly – at a reasonable cost
• greater reliability of information on rights on which to base investment or development decisions
• quick processing of transactions
• minimised transaction costs in relation to tradable rights, and
• systems that are easy to use, both internally and externally.

Convenient access to integrated land information:

• discoverable; meaning it is well indexed, easy to find, and the source of the data is understood
• convenient to access and at a reasonable cost
• fit for the purpose for which it was collected
• interoperable; meaning it can be combined with other land information data, and
• collected once, but able to be used many times.

Landonline

Why Landonline 100% e-lodgement was a priority

In February 2006, Cabinet approved the phasing out of paper-based lodgement of land transactions by 1 July 2008. The move to 100% e-lodgement is expected to bring significant benefits to New Zealanders, including:

• electronic transaction charges that reflect the lower overall cost of electronic processing compared with manual processing
• ongoing productivity and efficiency gains for customers and their clients from an automated process that enables new titles to be issued faster when buying, selling and subdividing property, and
• reduced risk and greater confidence about identity and security when updating the titles register and cadastre, including a decreased reliance on physical document security.

The activities we said we would undertake in 2007/08

Capability and change management

• Continue the change management processes begun in 2006, including:
  • phasing out 106 processing staff positions by 2008, and
  • continuing to train staff to ensure they are able to process the complex transactions that will still need manual intervention in the future, and to ensure they can provide remote real-time support to users at the point of lodgement.

Customer uptake of e-lodgement

• Continue to train and fully support surveying and conveyancing customers as they move to 100% e-lodgement from July 2008.
• Develop and implement a strategy for managing the public's continued access to core survey and title paper records after LINZ's public counters close in line with the introduction of 100% e-lodgement.

Technology enhancements to Landonline

• Continue the phased release of new functionality and enhancements to the Landonline system to enable all survey, and almost all title, transactions to be lodged electronically.
• Redevelop the Landonline information website to ensure it provides optimal support for 100% e-lodgement and continues to meet the need for ever-improving online information, self-help tools and assistance.

Policy and legislative changes

• Continue the policy and legislative changes needed to support 100% e-lodgement.

What we have achieved

LINZ has been phasing in the mandatory dates for titles and survey electronic lodgement using our e-dealing¹⁰ and e-survey¹¹ services. LINZ has successfully met the mandatory dates for electronic lodgement of routine transfers and mortgages (August 2007) and of all survey datasets (September 2007). In agreement with the industry and the Minister, the original target of 1 July 2008 for all transactions was moved to the end of February 2009. By 1 July 2008, all surveys and most title dealings were lodged electronically. All remaining titles transactions, such as caveats and rights of way, will be lodged electronically from the end of February 2009.

Two major releases of new functionality and enhancements enabled more complex titles instruments to be lodged through e-dealing. One further release is scheduled for September 2008, which will complete the technology enhancement programme and enable all titles instruments to be lodged electronically, with the exception of those where original signatures are required, eg court orders.

The Landonline system continues to deliver significant benefits to surveyors and conveyancers, enabling them to streamline their business processes and reduce the cost and time of processing a land transaction. We remain on track to achieve the expected benefits.

Capability and change management

The efficiency of e-lodgement has allowed LINZ to consolidate resources in our processing centres, which will lead to the eventual closure of the centres in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. To date, 82 positions have been phased out, with a further 19 positions scheduled to be phased out by February 2009.

LINZ developed a structured learning programme for new recruits in Hamilton and Christchurch, and completed a successful pilot for new survey and titles staff in early April 2008. Under the programme, new staff receive comprehensive training in their first six months, resulting in a much quicker transition to competence in the role than previously. Trainees from the pilot programme were transitioned into work teams after April. LINZ has begun to investigate the possibility of applying the same type of structured learning to train new recruits in other skilled positions.

Customer uptake

During the year, LINZ continued our proactive programme for supporting survey and conveyancing professionals through the phased introduction of mandatory e-lodgement. This included conducting two road shows for conveyancing professionals and a number of presentations to district law societies. The road shows and targeted training materials provided by LINZ have helped to train and support conveyancing professionals before each new release of Landonline functionality. These efforts have been key to the uptake of e-lodgement by conveyancers. By the end of June 2008, there had been significant uptake of the new functionality, and overall e-dealing is being used to lodge most titles dealings (by volume) with LINZ.

LINZ continues to support e-survey through remote, real-time telephone support and an enhanced website, including an interactive forum where surveyors can share their experiences and provide online help and tips.

The move from paper to e-delivery means that public counters in the Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin processing centres will close in early 2009 in line with the mandatory date for electronic title lodgement. The two processing centres that will remain open – Hamilton and Christchurch – will continue to offer some counter services. Internal consultation on plans to close the public counters occurred during the fourth quarter of 2007/08. External consultation on the processes required to support the public in an environment without public counters began in July 2008.

LINZ published a strategy for storage and preservation of survey and title core paper records in October 2007. Implementation of this strategy is underway.

Technology enhancements to Landonline

This work stream ensures that LINZ's technology supports the move to 100% electronic lodgement. Releases 2.10 and 3.0 of Landonline were successfully implemented during the year. Release 3.1, which introduces an additional 177 instruments to e-dealing – including caveats, variations of mortgages and transmissions – is currently being tested and is scheduled to be implemented in September 2008.

In addition to adding new functionality, LINZ has placed significant focus on the availability of Landonline. This effort has resulted in the system being available 99.8% of the time during extended business hours, including weekday evenings and 9am to 5pm Saturdays.

Policy and legislative changes

During the year, new regulations were implemented to support the mandatory dates for transfers and mortgages and surveys. Regulations were also implemented to support the electronic lodgement of additional title instruments. In addition, LINZ completed consultation with the industry and other government departments on regulations for Landonline Release 3.1, which is the final enhancement to Landonline before e-lodgement becomes fully mandatory in early 2009.

Hydrographic data infrastructure

Why hydrographic data infrastructure was a priority

Hydrography is the measurement and description of the seabed and adjoining coastal areas. LINZ is the government steward of core hydrographic information, produced primarily to support navigation and safety of life at sea. This information underpins the study, management and sustainable exploitation of the country's marine resources and is collected, managed and distributed in accordance with international standards.

The current infrastructure supporting the capture, access, management, maintenance, and distribution of this information was identified as needing improvement to ensure LINZ continues to meet our responsibilities and future requirements. LINZ initiated a project to store and process the huge volumes of survey data being produced by new technologies. When completed, the resulting system will allow LINZ to deliver products more efficiently and meet customers' increasing expectations. In particular, LINZ will be able to create Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs¹²) through the use of this system and the data in our database.

The activities we said we would undertake in 2007/08

• Begin implementing a new infrastructure to improve the management of hydrographic data and produce products more efficiently, including:
  • development and implementation of hydrographic database applications and processes, and
  • capture and translation of hydrographic metadata and core datasets into the new databases, ensuring all databases are updated as future data arrives into LINZ and enabling the provision of data using electronic channels.

What we have achieved

Database and applications

Following a tender and evaluation process, LINZ purchased and implemented the CARIS Hydrographic Production Database (HPD) system from Canada. The CARIS HPD system is a hydrographic database and system that CARIS customised to LINZ's specifications.

LINZ has populated the database with data initially supplied from the Royal New Zealand Navy, and has subsequently added to and improved this data.

One key goal of this project was to prove the ability to generate paper charts and ENCs, and the database has provided that capability. LINZ will now use the new infrastructure to generate additional ENCs, all paper charts and other hydrographic products and services. The database also enables LINZ to meet international obligations under International Hydrographic Office standards to provide ENCs to high-speed craft in 2008.

Topographic 1:50,000 map series

Why the topographic map series was a priority

Topographic information shows the natural and man-made features of the land represented to scale and provided on maps. It is important for emergency services, land management, defence planning, and recreational use. LINZ is New Zealand's national mapping organisation, responsible for providing national mapping at 1:50,000 and broader scales. We make our topographic data available via the Internet and our printed maps available through retailers.

Topographic mapping is underpinned by the geodetic reference system, which provides the underlying spatial framework for New Zealand. Currently, there are two datums¹³ used for topographic mapping in New Zealand: New Zealand Geodetic Datum 1949 (NZGD1949) and New Zealand Geodetic Datum 2000 (NZGD2000).

There is a 200-metre difference between the two datums, a difference that is insignificant in some applications, but potentially life-threatening in others. Wider adoption of the new reference system NZGD2000 is constrained by the lack of an NZTM¹⁴ based map series.

As a result, LINZ is developing a new 1:50,000 topographic map series to update the current series. The map series is planned for release in 2009, with much of the underlying development occurring in the coming year. It is based on the New Zealand Transverse Mercator 2000 map projection and will see the redevelopment and provision of NZTM data used and relied upon by primary customers, such as emergency services. This will be followed by the printing, launch and distribution of the new paper maps.

The activities we said we would undertake in 2007/08

• Continue the current software development work during 2007/08, with the printing, launch and distribution of the new paper maps planned for 2008 and 2009.

What we have achieved

Software development has continued and is on schedule and on budget for the printing, launch and distribution of the new paper maps in September 2009. A tender for the printing of the 1:50,000 series of topographic maps has been let. LINZ has worked with emergency services and other key stakeholders throughout the project. They have been involved in the planning of the distribution and have been informed of progress throughout the process.

LINZ, along with emergency services, will undertake targeted education initiatives to encourage regular map users to migrate to the new map series once it is published. The project will also enable electronic versions of the new maps to be made available via the LINZ website and directly into emergency services' databases, coinciding with the launch of the new paper maps. Consistency among all users should lead to improved public safety, better land management and coordination of resources, and other significant benefits.

The enhancements to the software also enable LINZ to reduce the time between updating the topographic database and subsequently producing a map. What used to take anywhere from three months to a year may now be accomplished in less than a week.

Other achievements

Sea-level gauges and tsunami preparedness

LINZ and GNS Science have installed five of 20 planned New Zealand-based sea-level gauges that will form part of a Pacific-wide international tsunami warning system.

LINZ continues to support national tsunami preparedness initiatives and is in the third year of a four-year project to do this. The New Zealand system of sea-level gauges increases our ability to detect tsunamis and prepare for them, protecting lives and property.

As well as detecting tsunamis (and long waves and storm surges), the New Zealand system of sea-level gauges may also be used for:

• sea-level datum determination (for geodetic and hydrographic survey purposes)
• monitoring for climate change purposes, and
• tidal prediction purposes.

KiwImage

KiwImage is an all-of-government project to acquire high-resolution satellite imagery for government agencies. Images include the New Zealand mainland, off-shore islands, the Ross Dependency, and selected South-West Pacific Islands.

LINZ worked with other interested government and local government agencies to enable the purchase of this satellite imagery. LINZ provides technical and contract expertise to this cross-government initiative.

Satellite images, once rectified¹⁵, can be added to the topographic database that will support the redevelopment and provision of New Zealand Transverse Mercator data.

Imagery is now loaded straight into the database, which is updated immediately, meaning that maps can be created using the most up-to-date information.

Antarctica

LINZ continues to have an active programme in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica. Our activities include the continuing maintenance and operation of tide gauges and tracking stations at Cape Roberts and Scott Base, as well as undertaking survey work in the region and collaborating on place names.

We co-operate with the national naming authorities of other countries that have bases and operate in our area of interest, most notably the USA, but also Italy and Australia.

10 e-dealing, accessed through Landonline, is a process that allows the electronic registration of land title transactions.

11 e-survey, accessed through Landonline, is a process that allows the electronic lodgement of survey datasets.

12 ENCs enable improved efficiency in both distribution of charts and navigation. ENCs can be distributed electronically through a variety of channels that can be adapted to the user's needs. When used with electronic chart display and information systems, an ENC integrates with other navigational systems and gives the mariner access to a wide range of safety features. To aid safe navigation, it enables the mariner to digitally layer charting information with other information, such as GPS, radar, depth sounder, and automatic identification systems. It may also display additional navigation-related information, such as sailing directions.

13 A fixed reference point or a set of reference points on the earth's surface against which position measurements are made, particularly measurements of elevation. Co-ordinates are represented by latitude, longitude and height.

14 New Zealand Transverse Mercator. A Transverse Mercator is a grid-based map projected onto a cylinder that is turned on its side. It eliminates distortions caused by longitude lines getting closer together at the poles.

15 Adjusted to account for distortions.