Gav's Blog

I recently sent this email off to a number of Ministers requesting that the NZ Post Code database be opened up and made freely available. I’ll write more later about the reasons why – but the main one is that the lack of a free post code database hinders new and novel applications of the post code, such as web services.

To the Ministers of: Commerce, Land Information, Stated Owned Enterprises, Communications and Information Technology

Re: New Zealand Post Code Database

Dear Ministers,

Currently the New Zealand Post Code Database is a paid-for dataset that New Zealand Post (a New Zealand State Owned Enterprise) charges a fee for.

See: Postcode Network File

I would like the relevant Ministers to investigate the release of postcode data that was announced late last year in the UK, where they are undertaking to open up and make freely available the postcode database. This is a fundamental and key dataset for business (and indeed non-profits and other community interest groups).

I would like to refer you to this BBC article that indicates that the UK Government is going to release the postcode data for free this year, and also point out that in the US all their zip code data is made available for free.

The release of the NZ postcode dataset would certainly seem to fit well with the Geospatial Strategy , and would be a continuation of the release of digital boundaries that started a couple of years ago with Statistics New Zealand.

I thank you in advance for consideration of this matter.

Kind regards,

Gavin Treadgold
Christchurch

On the 12th I received a reply stating that Minister Joyce will respond in due course.

12 May 2010

Mr Gavin Treadgold
CHRISTCHURCH

Dear Mr Treadgold

On behalf of the Hon Maurice Williamson, Minister for Land Information, I acknowledge receipt of your correspondence of 8 May 2010 regarding the fee for accessing the New Zealand Postcode Database.

In accordance with Ministerial responsibilities Hon Joyce will be responding for Ministers and Hon Williamson will provide input as required to that response following his consideration of your correspondence.

Yours sincerely

Stephen Walsh
Private Secretary – Land Information