Inaugural GIS Hui for Bay of Plenty iwi

Hapu and iwi from around the Bay of Plenty will meet in Whakatane in December to discuss how geographic information systems (GIS) can be used to meet their economic, cultural, environmental and social goals.

Participants will share and learn about how cartography, statistical analysis and database technology can enhance their various needs in more productive ways.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Technology and Economic Development Group Manager, Miles McConway, said that this was a first for the region and that he sees great potential for iwi to be able to learn about what information was already available, how to access it, and better ways of using it.

Presenters from both the region and nationally will describe the data sets they have available and share ways that iwi could use or develop that information for themselves.

Mr McConway said that a great deal of useful data was stored at councils and government agencies and this hui would explore ways that iwi could better access and use that information to meet various goals they may have set themselves.

"GIS is a very powerful tool that some iwi are already using well but others are still grappling with so this hui will provide a platform for sharing case studies and learning from each other," Mr McConway said.

The hui is to be held at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi on Tuesday 13 December and people can register by completing the registration form the Bay of Plenty Regional Council website

You can find the registration form on our Bay of Plenty GIS Hui page >>.