Ethos Environmental has taken out the Supreme Award at the New Zealand Spatial Excellence Awards tonight in Wellington for its use of location-based data to help control pest infestations on Great Barrier Island.
Ethos Environmental created an integrated Internet of Things (IoT) Geographic Information System (GIS) to record and analyse rat and feral cat intrusions, report when traps are triggered and monitor biodiversity gains. As a result, Ethos Environmental’s GIS provides a platform for the wider conservation sector to use.
“As technological innovation gathers pace, spatial - or location-based - information continues to prove its worth,” Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage said announcing the winner at the awards ceremony.
“People use spatial information every day, often without realising it. Whether it’s through ride-sharing services like Uber, or finding a local restaurant on Google Maps, spatial information tells people where something is relative to others, and how its position changes over time.
“This information is essential to helping us solve some of New Zealand’s most challenging issues, such as well-planned urban development increasing community resilience in responding to climate change, and improving freshwater quality,” Eugenie Sage said.
“The New Zealand Spatial Excellence Awards bring to life stories of cutting-edge research, public sector innovation and commercial success across key areas such earthquake recovery, conservation, transportation, and urban planning.”
The awards are a joint initiative by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), Survey and Spatial New Zealand (S+S NZ), and Spatial Industries Business Association (SIBA).
“They showcase the breadth of spatial innovation in New Zealand communities, businesses and government agencies and the quality, expertise and creativity of the people in the spatial industry.
“The awards celebrate the often unrecognised work being done to keep our economy going, help rebuild after disasters, and prepare us for the future.”
Video about winning project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdY-jv4kZao
Full list of winners:
Category
Winner
Environment & Sustainability
Ethos Environmental
Export & Innovation
Orbica
People & Community
University of Auckland
Spatial Enablement
Christchurch City Council
Technical Excellence
Orbica
Education & Professional Development
Robert Odolinski
Professional of the Year
Elaine McAlister
Student of the Year
Julian Thom
Women’s Leadership
Kat Salm
Young Professional of the Year
Claire Buxton
New Zealand Cartographic Society Award
Andrew Douglas-Clifford
Outstanding Contribution to Spatial
Geoff O’Malley
People’s Choice Award
Claire Buxton
Supreme Award
Ethos Environmental
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