NZGOAL (New Zealand Government Open Access and Licensing) framework

The New Zealand Government Open Access and Licensing framework (NZGOAL) is all-of-government guidance for agencies to follow when releasing copyright works and non-copyright/public domain material for reuse by others. Use this guidance when you intend to release open data.

Learning outcomes

Correctly determine which data can be safely released using an open licence.

Select the appropriate Creative Commons licence for an agency's data release.

Applying the licence at point of release for others to legally reuse the dataset.

Do you work for a government agency and want to enable appropriate re-use of your agency’s material by licensing its copyright works or releasing non-copyright material for re-use? Or are you a New Zealander who would like to know more about NZGOAL and how it all works?

Learn more about NZGOAL here.

What is NZGOAL?

NZGOAL is guidance for agencies to follow when releasing copyright works and non-copyright material for re-use by others.

It aims to standardise the licensing of government copyright works for re-use using Creative Commons licences and recommends statements for non-copyright material.

How can I access the NZGOAL framework?

NZGOAL framework, version 2, Dec 2014

NZGOAL software extension, version 1, July 2016 [PDF 671 KB]

Can I use NZGOAL for software?

NZGOAL has a separate Software Extension (NZGOAL-SE) for licensing and releasing copyright software works under free and open source software licences.

NZGOAL-SE makes use of the General Public Licence (GPL) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) licence, providing software specific guidance for releasing publicly funded software as open source.

NZGOAL-SE guidance

NZGOAL software extension, version 1, July 2016 [PDF 671 KB]

How do I learn more?

NZGOAL guide for users, July 2015

Check out our online training video series which explains and addresses the questions you may have about NZGOAL including the application of appropriate Creative Commons licenses:

NZGOAL online training videos

Help! I still need more information

The series of guidance notes will give you practical assistance to apply NZGOAL. The notes cover website copyright statements, file formats, procuring copyright works, and databases and datasets.

Guidance notes