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Land Information Minister Louise Upston is encouraging data whizzes throughout New Zealand to apply for two innovative Open Data Fellowships with Land Information New Zealand and the Wellington City Council.

“If you’re a developer or data scientist who wants to make a difference in your community, then don’t let this unique opportunity pass you by,” she said.

Associate Minister of Local Government Louise Upston today opened feedback on dog control rules. From 1 August through to 14 August you can share your views on how to reduce dog attacks.

Ms Upston says “our dog control laws value the role of dogs as pets, companions, and valued contributors to sectors of our economy and this will continue to be the case. But we need to find ways to reduce the danger posed by high-risk dogs and irresponsible dog owners.”

Newly released figures again show overseas tax resident buyers and sellers are behind three percent of New Zealand property transfers, Land Information Minister Louise Upston says.

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has released its latest report on tax residency and property transfers covering April to June 2016.

State Owned Enterprises Minister Todd McClay called for nominations for the Boards of Airways Ltd, AsureQuality Ltd, Meteorological Service of New Zealand Ltd (MetService), and Quotable Value New Zealand Ltd (QV). 

Mr McClay says he is particularly looking for high calibre individuals, with strong commercial skills and is keen to receive applications from a diverse range of New Zealanders, particularly women, who are under-represented.

Minister for Women, Louise Upston is also encouraging a greater number of women to put themselves forward for consideration.

New guidelines will let kiwi techies use government software to help build other innovative software, says Land Information Minister Louise Upston.

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has released guidelines to help government agencies apply open source licences to their software.

“Making government data freely available has resulted in businesses using it to develop precision agricultural tools and create apps for trampers. By taking the same approach to software, it too can be turned into new products for people to use,” says Ms Upston. 

Associate Local Government Minister and Minister for Women Louise Upston is calling for women to put their names forward for this year’s local authority elections.

“Local government and local democracy can only work when everyone’s voice can be heard. Diversity in governance is strongly linked to better performance,” Ms Upston says.

“At the last council elections 30 per cent of all candidates were women and around 30 per cent of those elected were women. I’d like to encourage more women to stand this year.

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is improving access to property information following a survey ranking it among the most in-demand types of government data, says Land Information Minister Louise Upston.

The findings were included in the results of a LINZ survey published today, which asked New Zealanders about the top 10 datasets they would most like to be able to access.

“With more than 400 survey responses, this high participation confirms the importance of LINZ’s work in encouraging government agencies to release their data,” says Ms Upston.

Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston wants to hear from New Zealanders about their thoughts on New Zealand’s dog control laws. This feedback will be considered as part of the Government’s review of dog control laws.

“The aim of this review is to look at our dog control laws, and to consider further measures to reduce the harm of dog attacks.” Ms Upston says. “Responsible dog owners have nothing to fear.”

Associate Local Government Minister Hon Louise Upston has announced the appointment of Peter Winder as a Crown Manager. Mr Winder’s role will be to support the Kaipara District Council when it returns to a fully-elected Council following the 8 October local elections.

“Mr Winder is currently a Kaipara Commissioner, and will bring with him his extensive experience and in-depth knowledge,” Ms Upston says.

Minister for Women Hon Louise Upston is calling for nominations the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW).

NACEW’s purpose is to provide high quality advice and inform government policy development. It is directly responsible to the Minister for Women.

Ms Upston acknowledges the significant role NACEW has played in advocating for women in employment since its establishment in 1967 and appreciates the contribution of current and former members over the years.

Minister for Women Louise Upston has submitted the Government’s latest report to the United Nations on New Zealand’s efforts to eliminate discrimination against women.

New Zealand is required to periodically report on the country’s performance under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). This is the eighth report New Zealand has provided since ratifying the Convention in 1985.

New fees that take effect on Monday will mean the Overseas Investment Office can hire more staff and further streamline its internal processes, says Land Information Minister Hon Louise Upston.

The Government has approved changes which will see OIO fees restructured and increased by between 8.7 and 166 per cent for different application fee types.

Ms Upston says recent internal changes in the OIO have driven operational improvements and the Government wants to see further improvement.

Expanding the Institute of Directors’ Future Directors programme to state sector boards will have strong benefits for governance, Minister for Women Louise Upston announced today.

“New Zealand has a relatively small pool of directors and this programme will help us create a larger and more diverse pipeline of talent,” she said.

Scientists have released new data that will help planners identify the risks posed by floods and sea level rise, says Land Information Minister Louise Upston.

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has completed a five year project to improve New Zealand’s Vertical Datum – a reference for measuring the height of the land and its features.

World Hydrography Day, an annual celebration of the science of mapping the sea and oceans, is timely as Land Information New Zealand begins work for improving its critical navigation information, says Land Information Minister Louise Upston.

“The theme of this year’s World Hydrography Day 2016 is Hydrography’s contribution to well-managed seas and waterways. LINZ already produces charts and critical safety information, but is taking steps to increase its contribution to the safe and efficient use of our waters,” says Ms Upston.

We must celebrate and cherish the women who devote their time and energy to voluntary work, says Hon Louise Upston, Minister for Women.

“Women are often the first to volunteer in a range of areas, sharing their experience and providing essential services,” she said.

“These women rarely seek the spotlight, yet the work they do has a positive impact on our communities. We need to give them the recognition they deserve.”

Ms Upston made the comments in recognition of National Volunteer Week.

Taxpayers will reap the benefits of new arrangements for managing properties earmarked for future Treaty settlements.

The Office of Treaty Settlements (OTS) Landbank is made up of about 950 properties, and these will be managed by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) from 1 July 2016.

Land Information Minister Louise Upston said LINZ are expert in dealing with Crown property, and have the people, systems and processes needed to make sure the Landbank properties continue to be well looked after for iwi.”

Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston today announced the Kaipara District Council will return to a fully-elected Council later this year, and encouraged locals to get involved.

“The Kaipara community has an opportunity to determine its future and I encourage community members to make sure their voice is heard in the elections. I also encourage any community members who want to make a positive difference to stand for Council,” Ms Upston says.

New Zealand now has the highest ever percentage of women on state sector boards and committees, Minister for Women Louise Upston announced today.

“I am pleased to report that women represented 43.4 per cent of state sector boards and committees, at the end of 2015. This is a significant increase on 41.7 per cent in 2014.

51.4 percent of Ministerial appointments to boards in 2015 were women.

Ms Upston also challenged the private sector employers to encourage the next level of leaders.

Initial data generated from the Government’s property tax measures in Budget 2015 indicates overseas tax resident buyers are behind 2-3 per cent of New Zealand property transfers, Land Information Minister Louise Upston says.

Over the six months to 31 March, 97,800 property transfers of all types were registered with LINZ. Of these:

Legislation paving the way for a two-stage transition of Environment Canterbury back to an elected council passed its third reading in Parliament today.

Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith said the time was right to transition ECan back to an elected council, and he welcomed the passage of the bill with support from the Maori and ACT parties.

Changes to the overseas investment regime mean the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) will be able to assess applications faster and shore up investor certainty, Ministers Bill English and Louise Upston say.

The changes, which are the result of a review that has been underway since last year, are expected to take place in mid-2016 and will see OIO fees restructured and increased by between 8.7 and 166 per cent for different application fee types.

A new online system will streamline property transactions and make it easier to link property information held across central and local government, says Land Information Minister Louise Upston.

“Every day, kiwis buy and sell homes, subdivide land and build new houses. Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) processes more than 3.5 million transactions and property information searches a year,” says Ms Upston.

Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston has announced that the online voting trial proposed for this year’s local body elections will not proceed as more work is required to ensure a trial meets public and government expectations.

“Public confidence in local elections is fundamentally important. Given real concerns about security and vote integrity, it is too early for a trial,” says Ms Upston.