Effective planning requires a nuanced understanding of spatial dynamics and a thorough analysis of the various factors affecting urban development. GIS offers a powerful solution for enhancing the planning process by providing detailed insights and facilitating data-led decision-making.By integrating GIS with planning, professionals can conduct detailed analyses, model scenarios, and monitor progress, leading to more strategic and data-driven urban and transport development. This integration supports optimised resource management, scenario simulation, public engagement, and project monitoring, ultimately improving planning outcomes and strategic decisions. This presentation will showcase how Wellington City Council has modernised the District Plan review process by integrating comprehensive spatial data into planning decisions, enhance public engagement and stakeholder consultations by providing interactive maps and visualisations, and monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the District Plan.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) operates numerous weather stations across the motū to predict fire behaviour, especially wildfires. Previously, checks and maintenance were carried out using paper-based forms, which offered limited utility beyond basic reporting.

To improve this process, we developed an end-to-end GIS solution that enhances the experience for staff evaluating weather stations and for management overseeing the maintenance program. The GIS tools are user-friendly and include features like photographic capture for more detailed documentation.

We replaced paper-based forms with a digital form created in ArcGIS Survey123. Combined with a FieldMaps application, this solution allows users to select the station under review and conduct an evaluation of its performance and condition. The ability to use these tools offline greatly improves the process.

Additionally, the project yielded two dashboards: one in our ArcGIS Online environment and another in ArcGIS Enterprise. These dashboards provide management with insights into the maintenance programme nationwide. They highlight weather stations requiring review and metrics on the overall state of the network.

To address ArcGIS Online license limitations for some management users, we developed an integration between our Enterprise and ArcGIS Online environments. This integration mirrors ArcGIS Online data into our ArcGIS Enterprise environment, for management and stakeholders. This facility allows more staff to access and analyse incoming data via Esri Enterprise dashboards. The workflow and accessibility of the data via ArcGIS Enterprise further expand the benefits, allowing for use and decision-making across the organisation.

This project demonstrates the practical application of GIS enhancing operational efficiency. By standardising the maintenance process, we have ensured consistent and reliable data collection. This aids in immediate weather station management and improves planning and resource allocation for wildfire prediction and prevention efforts. The workflow and accessibility of the data via the ArcGIS Enterprise portal further increase the benefits, and widespread use across the organisation.

Since 2019, the New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals Compliance team have been using GIS field apps to collect data during mine site visits. This talk will outline our transition from paper-based workflows to GIS field apps and the evolving role of GIS in supporting compliance activities. We will discuss some of the challenges we’ve encountered, lessons learned so far, and areas of opportunity we’ve identified following our most recent trip into the field.