This page lays out the reasons behind the refreshed Government System Strategy for Aotearoa NZ. It provides background context for the development of the refreshed strategy and previous versions of the Government Data Strategy and Roadmap.
The first Data Strategy and Roadmap was published in 2018. Agencies worked hard to realise the ambitions of that strategy, which were:
However, the data landscape is rapidly changing. Since the first Data Strategy and Roadmap was published, agencies have been working on a 10-year Data Investment Plan. Stats NZ and the Data Iwi Leaders Group have signed the Mana Ōrite Relationship Agreement to realise iwi data aspirations. A range of initiatives have been developed to increase trust in the data system, including the Data Protection and Use Policy and the Algorithm Charter for Aotearoa NZ. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed the context in which data is collected, managed, and used.
Despite the progress made between 2018 and 2021, there are some fundamental data system issues to be resolved:
Throughout the process of refreshing the strategy, key stakeholders have participated in workshops and interviews. These stakeholders came from central government, local government, private businesses and non-government organisations (NGOs). They have tested the Government Strategy's direction to ensure it is future-focused, robust, practical, and able to be adapted to different data sources and uses.
Aotearoa NZ Data Strategy 2018
If you'd like more information, have a question, or want to provide feedback, email datalead@stats.govt.nz.
Content last reviewed 10 August 2026.