Land Information
Speech

Good morning everyone.

Mark Mitchell Land Information
Release

Newly released figures for April to June 2017 show that property transfers involving overseas tax resident buyers and sellers are at the same levels as the previous quarter, says Land Information Minister Mark Mitchel

Mark Mitchell Land Information
Release

For the first time, authorities fighting the spread of wilding conifers will have a complete picture of infestations throughout the country, says Minister for Land Information Mark Mitchell.

“Land Information New Zealand has developed the Wilding Conifer Information System, a web-based mapping and monitoring tool, to ensure control of this invasive species is carried out in the most efficient way possible,” Mr Mitchell says.

Mark Mitchell Land Information
Speech

Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for coming to the launch of the Wilding Conifer Information System.

Mark Mitchell Land Information
Release

New legislation just passed in Parliament ensures New Zealand’s land transfer system will continue to be modern and world-leading, says Land Information Minister Mark Mitchell.

“The Land Transfer Bill reflects the fact that the majority of property transactions are now done online,” says Mr Mitchell.

“The land transfer system secures people’s ownership of land and provides certainty and fairness.

Mark Mitchell Land Information
Release

Earthquake damage will not be reflected in any changes to the rating valuations of Kaikoura properties this year, says Land Information Minister Mark Mitchell.

“The Government has given approval for the Kaikoura District Council to exclude the impact of earthquake damage on the values of affected properties while the extent of the damage is still being assessed,” says Mr Mitchell.  

“It’s important to wait until this work is completed so that any updating is done accurately and consistently.”

Mark Mitchell Land Information
Release

Land Information Minister Mark Mitchell says a new hydrographic plan will help deliver benefits to New Zealand’s shipping and fishing industries, tourist operators, and marine scientists.

“Today Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) released its HYPLAN, which sets out areas around the country where it will carry out surveys of the sea floor over the next five to ten years,” Mr Mitchell says.

“LINZ will use the latest technology to map the sea floor and update vital information such as nautical charts.

Mark Mitchell Land Information
Release

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has developed a world leading tool for improving shipping safety in New Zealand, says Minister for Land Information Mark Mitchell.

“The Hydrographic Risk Assessment uses the latest technology to identify risks and help update navigation information,” Mr Mitchell says.

The tool combines data from a variety of sources to produce heat maps of New Zealand waters where risks are highest, ensuring updates are given where they are needed most.

Mark Mitchell Land Information
Release

Minister for Land Information Mark Mitchell will represent New Zealand at the World Government Summit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 11 – 13.

“The World Government Summit provides a unique opportunity to showcase the New Zealand Government’s innovative approach in a range of areas,” Mr Mitchell says.

“Prominent world leaders from both the public and private sectors will be in attendance, and it provides a great opportunity to collaborate and exchange new ideas.

Mark Mitchell Land Information
Release

Satellite images of the impact of the Kaikoura earthquake show the level of devastation and will help speed up the recovery, Land Information Minister Louise Upston says.

The imagery, taken from planes, gives a clear picture of dramatic changes to the coastline following the initial quakes and aftershocks. The project was a joint effort between Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) and NZTA, and will support the reconstruction work on the coastal rail and road route announced by Minister Bridges today.

Louise Upston Land Information
Release

Three place names in North Canterbury containing the word ‘nigger’ will be changed to reflect the offence caused by that word, Land Information Minister Louise Upston says.

Nigger Stream, near Arthur’s Pass, will now officially be named Pūkio Stream after a native grass (Carex Secta) found in the area.

Niggerhead, which is above Lake Sumner, will be called Tawhai Hill after a species of native Beech Tree found in the South Island.

Louise Upston Land Information
Release

Minister for Land Information Louise Upston today announced the appointment of Victoria Murdoch and re-appointment of Evan Gamby to the Valuers Registration Board – the authority that oversees the performance of New Zealand’s land valuers.

“Ms Murdoch is Christchurch-based and has worked mainly in urban valuation for nearly 20 years. She’s also the third woman to be appointed to the Board since its creation in 1948,” says Ms Upston.

The Board has also re-appointed long-serving member, Evan Gamby, for the next three years.

Louise Upston Land Information
Release

The Minister for Land Information Louise Upston says advisors to overseas investors are helping to make sure New Zealand attracts and secures quality investments.

“During the last two weeks I have enjoyed hosting a series of overseas investment workshops attended by more than 150 lawyers, advisors and others who work with, or have an interest in, people investing in New Zealand.

Louise Upston Land Information
Release

Appointments to the Cadastral Surveyor Licensing Board, New Zealand’s authority for setting competency standards for land title surveyors, will see its membership refreshed, including a new Chair, Land Information Minister Louise Upston said.

“It’s great to see that the Board has elected a woman as Chair for the first time. Vicky Nalder, an experienced surveyor and member of the Board for six years has been promoted to the position,” Ms Upston says.

Louise Upston Land Information
Release

A refreshed membership of the New Zealand Geographic Board will ensure that New Zealand’s process for deciding official place names continues to reflect the interests of Kiwis, Land Information Minister Louise Upston says.

The newcomers are Paulette Tamati-Elliffe, nominated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, and former South Wairarapa District Council Mayor, Adrienne Staples, nominated by Local Government New Zealand.

Louise Upston Land Information
Release

Latest figures released by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) again show overseas tax resident buyers are involved in just three percent of New Zealand property transfers, Land Information Minister Louise Upston says.

LINZ released its quarterly report on tax residency and property transfers covering July to September 2016 today which shows transfers involving overseas tax residents are at similar levels to previous quarters on record this year.

Louise Upston Land Information
Release

The effort to stop invasive wilding conifers from choking the Kaimanawa ranges has received a major funding boost, Land Information Minister Louise Upston and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry have announced.

“The Government is investing an additional $538,000 in control work in the Kaimanawa ranges this year, as part of the $16m it is investing nationally to control wilding conifers over the next four years,” Ms Upston says. 

Louise Upston Maggie Barry Land Information Conservation
Release

Land Information Minister Louise Upston wants paper map users to have their say on proposed changes to the way Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) prints and charges for its maps.

“The trusty paper topographic or topo map has long had a place in Kiwi culture, but increasingly people are using digital versions from LINZ’s website,” says Ms Upston.

“While paper maps are still an essential tool for navigation – after all they don’t run out of batteries – the greater use of digital maps means there has been a reduction in demand.

Louise Upston Land Information
Release

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) and its partners have released a new plan to tackle the invasive weed hornwort at Lake Karapiro, says Land Information Minister Louise Upston.

“Lake Karapiro is a beautiful reservoir and one of the country’s most impressive venues for water sport, including rowing and Waka Ama” says Ms Upston.

“There’s a need for more sustained, targeted control of hornwort given the growing list of events scheduled to take place, including the World Masters Games in 2017.

Louise Upston Land Information
Release

New mapping of parts of the Marlborough Sounds, Tāmaki Strait, Auckland and Kawau Bay seabeds will ensure maritime safety and help to improve marine habitat management, says Land Information Minister Louise Upston.

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) in partnership with Marlborough District Council has engaged the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research to survey Queen Charlotte Sound (Tōtaranui) and the Tory Channel (Kura Te Au) in the Marlborough Sounds with state-of-the-art sonar technology.

Louise Upston Land Information
Release

Minister for Land Information Louise Upston today announced the approval of Shanghai Maling’s application to purchase a 50 per cent interest in Silver Fern Farms.

Minister for Land Information Louise Upston, and Associate Minister for Finance Paula Bennett, the decision-making Ministers, are satisfied that the purchase would create substantial and identifiable benefit for New Zealand.

Louise Upston Land Information
Release

Four private sector techies have joined Wellington City Council and Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) as part of a new Open Data Fellowship – providing a fresh perspective on how to make open government data even more useful, says Land Information Minister Louise Upston.

“The Fellowships mark the beginning of a new way of working between government and private enterprise that’ll see more innovation using government data to solve local issues,” says Ms Upston. 

Louise Upston Land Information
Release

Land Information Minister Louise Upston is calling on Kiwis to help strengthen government policy for making government data more freely available to the public.

“We want to hear your 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,” says Ms Upston.

Launched in September 2015, the Charter has been adopted by 17 countries world-wide.

Louise Upston Land Information