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Open access to expanded Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAr) mapping in the regions will benefit insurers and customers, the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) says.
The comment follows the government’s decision to provide up to $19 million in funding for expanded LiDAR data – precise measurements of the earth’s surface done from the air and used for creating 3D maps to manage land use.
LiDAR aims to help councils and regional authorities understand the impacts of severe weather, climate change, erosion, flooding and sea level rise. With it, authorities are able to make better decisions about land use and risk management, which allows them to be more resilient and better protect people and assets.
“Access to this data will provide insurers with tools to better understand the risks a property they’re insuring faces,” ICNZ chief executive Tim Grafton noted. “It will also help homeowners understand the sorts of risks any property they’re looking to purchase faces, be it from erosion, flood or sea level rise, so they can make more informed decisions.”
