Congratulations to the 2026 LINZ S-8B Marine Geospatial Programme Graduates

Congratulations to the 2026 LINZ S-8B Marine Geospatial Programme graduates!

IIC Academy recently had the pleasure of attending the Graduation Ceremony for Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) students completing the S-8B Marine Geospatial Programme in Wellington, New Zealand.

The five graduates were recruited specifically to support the Maritime Data Transformation (MDT) Programme — New Zealand's flagship S-100 future navigation initiative. Recognising that the programme demanded a high level of cartographic expertise, LINZ contracted IIC Academy to deliver a dedicated, IBSC-recognised S-8B programme on-site in Wellington.

The S-8B is no small undertaking. It requires substantial theoretical learning, practical assessments, and the ability to apply complex knowledge in a real-world production environment. The students approached every aspect of the programme with enthusiasm, outstanding engagement, and fantastic attitudes — and it was a genuine pleasure to instruct them.

This marks the first time LINZ has utilised one of IIC Academy's Category B programmes, and we consider it an extraordinary endorsement. LINZ is a world-leading National Hydrographic Authority in every sense: from its Bathymetric Data Gathering Panel and free data sharing model, to its championing of education and women in hydrography, and now its status as one of the leading nations in the global transition to S-100.

The work these graduates will be doing is world-leading, and we have no doubt it will serve as an exemplar for other nations.

Watch this space for more on the LINZ MDT Programme.

Congratulations to Amara, Finn, Iona, Macey, and Shi on this well-earned achievement and thank you to LINZ for recognising the value of investing in world-class hydrographic training.