The Government has transferred its open data programme to Statistics New Zealand saying that, as a world-leader in data and analytics, it is best placed to take the programme forward.
The programme, designed to help government agencies make more information openly available, was previously headed by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ).
Statistics minister Mark Mitchell, said LINZ had set a solid foundation and made great progress in encouraging government agencies, crown organisations, and local authorities to make their data more freely available. “However, Stats NZ …has expertise in maximising the value we get from data, and will continue working with agencies to raise awareness and increase transparency around their data use,” he said.
The transfer follows the announcement yesterday of an alliance between Statistics NZ and Statistics Netherlands designed to help both bodies better exploit the potential of new data sources and analytics for decision-making.
In September land information minister Louise Upston sought public input on the development of open data policies. Specifically she sought views on whether New Zealand should adopt the International Open Data Charter, a set of global principles for making government data available to the public.