Background to the NZGO
In October 2004, the New Zealand government noted its increasing reliance on geospatial information for a wide range of activities. Widespread external support was expressed for the development of a coordinated approach and a strategy for geospatial information.
The New Zealand Geospatial Strategy was developed in 2006 and agreed by Cabinet in October that year. The Strategy was published in January 2007.
New Zealand Geospatial Strategy partners
The Strategy was developed by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) in consultation with:
- Archives New Zealand
- City, District and Regional Councils
- Department of Conservation
- Department of Internal Affairs
- Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Landcare Research
- Local Government New Zealand
- Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management
- Ministry of Defence
- Ministry of Economic Development
- Ministry for the Environment
- Ministry of Fisheries
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Justice
- Ministry of Research, Science and Technology
- National Library of New Zealand
- New Zealand Defence Force
- New Zealand Fire Service
- New Zealand Police
- State Services Commission
- Statistics New Zealand
- Treasury.
NZGO—the Strategy's engine room
The initial governance structure established to support the Strategy comprised a Joint Ministerial Group, a Geospatial Executives Group (GEG) responsible for the implementation of the Strategy, and a Geospatial Advisory Committee (GAC) responsible for advising the GEG and facilitating interagency implementation of decisions made by the GEG and Ministers.
As part of the governance structure, the New Zealand Geospatial Office (NZGO) was established in early-2007, following the Strategy's publication.
NZGO is described in the Strategy as its engine room, responsible for coordinating the development of the work programme associated with the Strategy, supporting individual initiatives, and liaising with relevant government and industry participants.
NZGO has a reporting line within LINZ, as well as to the GEG in order to maintain a sectoral approach.
Strategy work programme
From its inception through to 2008, NZGO developed a work programme for implementing the Strategy. The initial focus of the work programme has been to see a more coordinated approach to the management of government's geospatial information resources.
From 2008 to present, NZGO has been implementing the work programme while continuing to develop it.
The work programme development takes into account the importance of active engagement with the geospatial industry, and the desirability of expanding the work programme to meet wider national geospatial information requirements.
For more information on the NZGO's activities under the work programme, visit the New Zealand Geospatial Strategy website.
Review of the Strategy’s governance
In late-2008, the governance arrangements supporting the Strategy were reviewed. The review aimed to clarify the roles involved in the Strategy's governance and implementation, and to strengthen the governance of the Strategy at a strategic policy level. The review proposed the current governance structure approved in early-2009.
As part of the new structure the GAC was replaced by a Geospatial Steering Committee (GSC). The role of Geospatial Custodian also replaced the previous role of Director in heading the NZGO.
The GSC was established in April 2010.
