What is Open Data?
Open data refers to information that is freely accessible and reusable without technical, legal, or cost-related barriers. Truly open data can be explored, adapted, and repurposed — from being cut and cropped to being mashed up with other datasets — all while adhering to open formats and licensing requirements or being entirely copyright-free.
By making data open, individuals and organizations save time and resources that would otherwise be spent accessing or reproducing information. Open data fosters innovation, enabling the creation of new products and services that combine diverse datasets. It also enhances the transparency and accountability of public agencies.
Creative Commons and Open Data
At Creative Commons Aotearoa New Zealand, we advocate for making data — particularly publicly funded data — openly available for reuse, barring legitimate reasons for restriction.
To support this, Creative Commons offers two powerful tools for data owners to share their data freely:
- Creative Commons Licences: A suite of six licences designed to facilitate the open sharing of copyrighted works.
- Public Domain Tools: Two tools to either dedicate works to the public domain or clearly signal that no copyright applies.
These tools provide flexible and legally sound options for making data accessible to everyone.
Open Data and the New Zealand Government
Governments worldwide, including New Zealand, are increasingly committed to releasing high-value datasets under open licences.
Through the New Zealand Government Open Access and Licensing (NZGOAL) framework, public agencies in New Zealand regularly release data under the Creative Commons Attribution Licence, ensuring that this data is freely accessible and reusable.
Open Research Data
Open data is also transforming the research community. Academics and scientists sharing their research findings openly enable others to analyse, critique, and build upon their findings. This collaborative approach accelerates progress by preventing duplication of effort and fostering innovation.