A cross-government programme to accelerate the release and reuse of open government data to maximise the value of that data.

Open Data NZ's work includes:

1. leading the work that has placed New Zealand seventh in the Open Data Barometer global rankings for readiness, implementation and impact of open data
2. working with government agencies on the supply side to raise awareness, support, inform, troubleshoot and advise on their release of open government data
3. working with users of open government data (both within and outside government) on the demand side to understand and represent their data needs, troubleshoot, and connect them with relevant government contacts
4. representing New Zealand government in the international open data community – including membership of the Open Data Institute Leaders' Network and the Open Data Charter Stewards' Group
5. supporting local initiatives using open government data, such as GovHack, International Open Data Day and the Open Government Ninjas online group.

Data champions

Shifting the culture to an ‘open by default' approach remains the main challenge to the open data ecosystem. Each government agency is encouraged to appoint an executive data champion to lead the release of open data across their organisation. Data champions are also a key point of contact for other government agencies and external users.

The Data Champion Network is a key part of the work to release open data across the New Zealand government. Data champions provide core entry points into an agency and ensure engagement at the right level, in the right way.