New Zealand Environment Minister Nick Smith and Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp, announced today that a high-tech mapping of the country’s forests, pastures, rivers, and cities will be the product of the government’s four-year Land Cover Research Programme.

The Land Cover Research Programme will provide vital information about New Zealand’s urban and rural environment for the benefit of the natural resources sector, regional councils, and the research and academe sector.

The Government will give NZD 1 million (USD 829,000) a year over the next four years for the research which uses satellite technology, geospatial mapping techniques and advanced computing power.

“By using the best in modern technology, we can thoroughly map New Zealand’s changing land use so we can quantify the pressures on water quality and biodiversity,” Dr. Smith said.

Meanwhile, Dr Mapp said land cover research is moving forward and needs to apply the best in science and innovation for the sake of New Zealand’s environmental and economic health.

“Up-to-date information about vegetation, water sources and the built environment is critical for the success of natural resource industries such as agriculture and forestry,” Dr Mapp said.

The Land Cover Research Programme will be led by Crown Research Institute Landcare Research, with the involvement of the Ministry for the Environment, the Department of Conservation, the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry and regional councils.