Steering Group (NZLUSG)
New Zealand Land-use Steering Group (NZLUSG)
Section titled “New Zealand Land-use Steering Group (NZLUSG)”The NZLUSG is a technical advisory body established to guide the long-term development, stewardship, and governance of the New Zealand Land Use Management (NZLUM) classification system.
NZLUSG aims to bring together representatives from central and regional government, research organisations, and industry to ensure that New Zealand’s land-use data remains coordinated, authoritative, future-proof, and nationally consistent.
High-quality, consistent land-use information is fundamental for policy, planning, environmental reporting, and long-term land stewardship. Land-use maps have been made in the past on an ad-hoc and regional basis, rather than systematically and nationally. One reason for this is thought to be the lack of a dedicated governance mechanism to ensure:
- Continuity and maintenance of a national classification standard.
- Coordination across producers, users, and stewards of land-use data.
- Transparent decision-making on updates and revisions.
- Resilience and longevity of the dataset beyond any single project.
- Alignment with international best practice (e.g., Australia’s ABARES model).
NZLUSG is being established to secure the continuity of this vital dataset, protect its public-good value, and provide a collaborative forum for ongoing improvements.
Background: Seminar and Stakeholder Consultation
Section titled “Background: Seminar and Stakeholder Consultation”The formation of NZLUSG was shaped by feedback gathered during the seminar:
Advancing New Zealand’s Land-Use Classification: Insights and Governance
2 December 2024
Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman Hotel
This event brought together researchers, land managers, central and regional government, consultants, and industry groups to discuss:
- National land-use classification practices and needs.
- Governance frameworks in New Zealand.
- Data methodologies and use-cases.
- The operational model for a national advisory group.
Dr. Jane Stewart (ABARES) delivered the keynote, sharing lessons from Australia’s two decades of land-use governance and standardisation, and their Australian Land-use and Management (ALUM) classification system.
The afternoon workshop focused on reviewing and discussing a draft Terms of Reference for NZLUSG, with participants providing input on scope, structure, membership, and responsibilities.
Membership
Section titled “Membership”A membership list will be published once participants are confirmed.
Want to be involved?
Section titled “Want to be involved?”Stakeholders who wish to participate, provide feedback, or be kept informed of NZLUSG’s activities are welcome to contact the NZLUM team via email: 📧 landuse@landcareresearch.co.nz