Mairéad de Róiste

Mairéad de Róiste's academic work combines geography, GIS education and research into geospatial skills. Her research profile records a BA with honours, a postgraduate diploma, an MSc and a PhD, and identifies her as an associate professor at Victoria University of Wellington. Her national skills-shortage study links academic research with the practical needs of employers.

In 2014, Mairéad de Róiste published “Filling the gap: The geospatial skills shortage in New Zealand”. The national study surveyed 157 organisations and documented challenges around student numbers, gaining experience, up-skilling existing practitioners and awareness of geospatial work. It became a workforce anchor for understanding why demand for spatial capability could grow while recruitment remained difficult.

In 2014, Mairéad de Róiste published a national study of the GIS workforce. Filling the gap: The geospatial skills shortage in New Zealand reported on a survey of 157 organisations across government, academia and the private sector. The study found a New Zealand shortage comparable in broad form with shortages already being discussed overseas. By then organisations clearly valued geospatial work; the harder question was whether enough people could perform it at the level employers required.

LINZ’s 2026 Geospatial Capability Committee material lists Mairéad de Róiste in Victoria University of Wellington / tertiary representative; Geospatial Capability Committee..

LINZ’s tertiary GIS directory lists Mairéad de Róiste for Victoria University of Wellington.