Data Management

The ability to measure progress towards predator freedom will be critical to the success of the Predator Free 2050 movement (PF2050). A key component for this is having a clear understanding of what data is required and why.

Furthermore, we need to know who is collecting this data, and how to ensure that data collected by multiple agencies, organisations and community groups can be successfully used in combination to track progress at a national scale.

This report provides a snapshot of the current ‘data landscape’ in the PF2050 system.

The report was prepared by Boffa Miskell on behalf of the Predator Free 2050 Collaborative Group – Measuring and Assessing the Difference We Make.

Predator Control Data Standards

Predator control data (trapping and bait-station data) is collected and stored in multiple different systems around New Zealand. This has resulted in:

● Too many disparate predator control datasets
● A lack of consistent vocabulary and data formatting
● Varying quality of data
● Inability to access data
● Underutilisation of data

Although each system is fit-for-purpose and was developed to meet a particular data-collection or analysis need, which system to use can be confusing for people on the ground. The prevalence of multiple systems means that geographically adjacent groups, or even different members of the same community group, are frequently using different systems.

Every group or agency requires something different from a data collection system and the PF2050 effort wants to support the range of systems that are out there and being used, but we need an efficient way to share data between each system or aggregate data between multiple systems.

To overcome data loss and integration challenges around predator control data, a call for standards has emerged from those working at all levels, from communities up to agencies and from national government.

The purpose of publishing this predator control data standard is to offer a common data format to facilitate data management, data sharing, and data aggregation. The standard also provides the basis for other systems to be developed and have a standard format to follow. In addition, it can help people decide on what data to collect if using a spreadsheet or paper.

Follow the links below to read about and view version 1.0

● Easy-to-read Guide – this printable document is a step-by-step guide that gives a clear description of each field with examples

● This Quick Reference Guide: is the GitHub Reference Guide where you can find a schema diagram of the standard and sample data

● Version 1.0 of the data standard – Access to CSV, XML, JSON on GitHub

● DRAFT Lookup tables – These are currently being updated and edited. The aim is to have a master file by April/May 2021

● Predator Control Data Standard Report (September 2019)

The below organisations have collectively developed the first version of the standard presented here. As this is the first version, it is a starting point that will inevitably change over time to ensure we are meeting the data requirements of all people and organisations across New Zealand.