Minister's Foreword

A prosperous and economically secure nation is one in which there is confidence in property rights, and Crown assets are effectively and efficiently managed. By ensuring the integrity of New Zealand’s land information systems – and realising the potential and long-term viability of those assets – people will be encouraged to invest in them. This will have long-term benefits for individual New Zealanders and our nation’s economic wellbeing.

Consistent with this approach, my priorities for the Land Information portfolio include:

• developing and implementing the Government’s South Island high country policy
• implementing the New Zealand Geospatial Strategy, and
• encouraging overseas investment in New Zealand.

The Crown’s South Island high country is economically important and features a landscape that makes New Zealand a renowned tourism destination. To ensure the current and future viability of this important part of our country we will develop a clear policy and strategic direction for the high country and review associated legislative requirements imposed on it.

This Government recognises the importance of geospatial information and its impact on productivity. Most of what we do depends on knowing where things are and how they relate to one another. This information is increasingly critical for both commercial products and services and core government functions. Improving access to and the use of geospatial information has significant economic benefits for New Zealand. Giving effect to the New Zealand Geospatial Strategy will involve creating a national geospatial data infrastructure that will enable the efficient and productive use of geospatial information. Engagement with key stakeholders who have an interest in, and use spatial data, will be key to the success of this strategy.

Encouraging and facilitating overseas investment in the current economic environment is essential for ongoing growth and prosperity. We will review the current regime to ensure that a strategic approach is taken to simplify processes and to identify the barriers hindering foreign investment, while at the same time protecting our sensitive land, assets and resources.

There are some additional priorities for the portfolio that I am keen to progress in line with the Government’s expectations. They are the ongoing improvement and efficiency of the land titles and cadastral survey systems to ensure that the benefits of recent changes are being realised, assisting the Office of Treaty Settlements to progress Treaty claims, and managing biosecurity issues to ensure the best use of Crown assets.

Finally, the way we deliver these priorities is important. Given the current economic climate, effective public management and fiscally prudent decision-making will be imperative in achieving the Government’s expectations.

Hon Dr Richard Worth
Minister for Land Information