Why you need federated infrastructure data
The below article by Angus Bargh from Open Plan (the managing operator for Digital Built Aotearoa) appeared in Volume 62 of NZ Local Government Magazine, October 2025.
You’ve heard this story before: after a lengthy period of roadworks on a particular street, within months new works begin, and that beautiful, newly laid seal is being dug up. More road cones, more disruption, more taxpayer money being spent. This scenario is a (costly) nightmare for councils; it frustrates businesses and communities – but thanks to new technology-enabled collaboration, it’s now completely avoidable.
In fact, this scenario is a perfect example of how federating infrastructure data can markedly improve efficiency at delivering infrastructure works. Great progress is being made in this space by a pioneering public-good digital foundation.
FEDERATING INFRASTRUCTURE DATA
“Federating infrastructure data” refers to the practice of sharing data from multiple parties in a common format and providing access to relevant stakeholders so value can be derived from it.
A good example is sharing planned infrastrucure projects. When road controlling authorities such as councils and NZTA, plus the owners of utilities such as electricity, gas, fibre, and water have a space to share their planned projects into a common format, those plans can then be searched, and potential clashes and opportunities to collaborate and better sequence works can be identified by programme planners and project managers.
This is exactly what the infrastructure planning collaboration tool, the National Forward Works Viewer (NFWV) provides for the 14 councils here already using it.
Earlier this year the NZTA also signed up to the platform and is currently rolling out its national programme of planned works.
Federated data provides a view beyond silos; it brings together parties who need to cooperate and coordinate to a shared space where there is transparency and collaboration.
WHO IS DRIVING THIS COLLABORATION?
Behind the NFWV and NZ Underground Asset Register (NZUAR) – an online map of underground assets which has been endorsed as a strategic opportunity for the Infrastructure Commission – is the Digital Built Aotearoa Foundation (DBAF). DBAF is an independent charitable foundation, which exists to improve infrastructure delivery and resilience around our motu and acts as a data trust facilitating sector-wide collaboration.
Angus Bargh is the founder of Open Plan, which developed and managed the NZ Forward Works Viewer and NZ Underground Asset Register on behalf of Digital Built Aotearoa. Angus previously led the horizontal rebuild of Christchurch in senior roles and SCIRT and as Cheif Transport Planner at CERA.
Photo Credit: Wellington City Council
Its non-profit model is the key to providing neutral, trusted platforms where data can be unified for everyone’s benefit. As an independent trust it is not tied to a government agency or department and their specific imperatives. It’s also not a private sector entity and is therefore able to deliver its work on a cost-recovery basis because it’s not trying to extract commercial profits.
Any excess funds are cycled back into product and service improvement. Open Plan Limited operates and manages DBAF’s tools on behalf of the foundation.
WHAT FEDERATED DATA DELIVERS
For local government in its role as a Road Controlling Authority (RCA) and Corridor Manager these tools deliver substantive savings and benefits, including:
- Compliance with RCA duties under the Utilities Access Act and National Code of Practice.
- Financial savings via a ‘dig once’ approach to utility works, and increased lifespan of road assets.
- Improved relationships with external utilities and civil contractors.
- Reduced need for temporary traffic management through more efficiently delivered projects.
- Reduction in costly ‘strikes’ on critical assets which delay construction projects.
BROADER BENEFITS
- Disaster resilience: In a disaster response and recovery scenario, federated datasets of infrastructure assets and work plans are critical to enable a swift and well-coordinated response by the sector. The National Forward Works Viewer emerged out of the Christchurch Earthquake recovery has since been deployed in the aftermath of other disasters such as Cylone Gabrielle to coordinate recovery works.
Public perception: As media attention and central government focus remains on road cones, driving collaboration and efficiency between those working in the road corridor offers positive outcomes for councils in their role as RCAs.
During a recent Intelligent Transport Systems NZ Webinar, Tracey Berkahn, Group Manager Road Access and Coordination at Auckland Transport, recounted a project where over $400,000 had been saved thanks to the NFWV, but added: “What was more important was the reputational saving. If these projects had gone independently the community would have been disturbed for much, much longer. That reduction in that stakeholder frustration is really significant.
THIS IS CRITICAL NOW
It is arguable that federated infrastructure data has never been more critical for several reasons.
No ‘normal’ on the road network: Due to our significant infrastrucutre deficit we face increased levels of works in our road corridor for a long time to come. There is no ‘normal’ for the foreseeable future, and the increased activity needs to be managed.
Local water done well: The move of some water entities outside of council in the water reforms will make works collaboration between transport and water more difficult. Tools like the NFWV become vital to improved collaboration.
Institutional endorsement: The NZTA’s decision to implement the National Forward Works Viewer and mandate it for a group of councils around Aotearoa, as well the Infrastructure Commission’s inclusion of the NZ Underground Asset Register as an endorsed priority in the Infrastructure Priorities Programme, clearly shows that federating data for the public good is the strategic direction of travel in New Zealand.
GETTING STARTED
Digital Built Aotearoa and Open Plan (which operates NFWV and NZUAR) offer free data discovery sessions for councils, where you have a chance to discuss the asset data or planned project data in your organisation and region, and map out how this can be federated using Digital Built Aotearoa’s tools. You can get a free customised data federation plan by registering at: www.openplan.co.nz/freeplan. Highlighting what’s possible on this journey of data federation, we’ve detailed the experience of New Plymouth District Council in the following article.