Upgrade to the New Zealand Geotechnical Database (NZGD)

The NZGD is a centralised platform for engineers to access and share geotechnical data. It is recognised around the world as a leading example of how open data sharing can raise the performance of the building sector. 

The upgraded NZGD has been developed by Beca and funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The new platform gives a modern and easy to use solution which provides a stronger framework for future changes and growth.

Some of the improvements that have been released in the upgrade are:

• an improved login and registration process, giving many users faster access to the NZGD
• a new layout, with better map space and the ability to review more data inside NZGD
• some updates to the structure of data to better align to AGS4
• the in-application guidance, which will help users onboard faster and make the most of NZGD.

Watch Beca's NZGD video previewing the new solution – vimeo.com

MBIE and Beca involved members of the engineering community in user testing of the new solution, resulting in some usability improvements being made.

David Hall, General Manager of MBIE’s Building System Performance team, said “We are hugely appreciative of the input from the community in helping us to test the solution.  Having everyday users perform real life scenarios is essential in determining that the product is market-ready and can perform effectively when used by real end-users”.

All current NZGD users have received information about how to access the new NZGD. New users in the engineering community can go directly through NZGD's website.

Register to use the NZGD – nzgd.org.nz

NZGD users will be fully supported by the Beca team who will supply the administration services for the NZGD for the next 10 years.

MBIE’s role as stewards of the NZGD

MBIE’s stewardship of the NZGD aligns with the Government’s vision for a high performing construction sector. Here are some of the ways the NZGD supports the Governments objectives:

• Faster building design – reduced duplication of geotechnical site testing can speed up design schedules by a week or more, which is a big time saving in the context of 70,000 new building consents per annum.
• Data comparison – being able to compare nearby datasets promotes better quality information submitted for consenting purposes and allows data comparison to identify any data inconsistencies.
• Cost savings for clients – through a reduction in the duplication of geotechnical testing.
• More efficient building consenting – independently validated data in the NZGD gives consent authorities a high degree of confidence when they use it to cross-check information supplied with building consent applications. This accelerates the review process and leads to better outcomes in consenting.
• Emergency response support – where access to geotechnical information is needed to underpin decision making during natural hazards.
• Strategic initiative support – reduced cost and time to complete strategic initiatives in local and central government by harnessing a big accessible dataset.
• Research support – supports geotechnical research efforts by universities and other bodies, both nationally and internationally.

MBIE’s stewardship of the database is funded from the building levy, which has been identified as the most appropriate funding source for the database going forward.

This reflects the alignment of NZGD with design, consenting and construction of buildings, highlighting the contribution the NZGD makes to productivity in building and construction and the benefits, which flow back to payers of the building levy.