Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening. It is a pleasure to be here this evening to celebrate the successful transition to full electronic lodgement of all survey and title transactions. 

New Zealand is the first country in the world to have a fully integrated electronic survey and land title registration system. 

This has contributed to New Zealand's number one ranking out of 178 economies for ease in registering and transacting property in the World Bank's 2008 report on business regulations. That is an achievement worthy of celebration in itself.

23 February 2009 marked the completion of a project that began about 12 years ago. A project, I am very pleased to say, that has tracked to time and to budget. 

I understand that a large number of individuals and organisations have been involved in this successful project - and there will be further reference to this tonight.

But I would like to note the valuable contributions made by both the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors'.

LINZ will continue to work closely with you and others who have been involved in this project to further develop and enhance Landonline. Shared experiences have put survey and title services in a strong position to enable the efficiencies and benefits of electronic lodgement to be reaped now and in the future.

It is particularly important in the current difficult economic environment that the costs to LINZ, Landonline customers and their clients are minimised. 

With this in mind, it is very pleasing that the move to electronic lodgement and processing has reduced costs for the provision of LINZ's survey and title services and reduced turnaround times. 

Improved access to land information provides benefits for all New Zealanders and creates greater efficiencies for businesses.

This is a fantastic achievement and all those who have been involved in this project can be very proud.

Thank you and I hope you enjoy the evening.