The New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development wants to give oil and gas companies more information about its resources so they'll feel more inclined to license properties in the island nation. With that end in mind the agency established a US $15 million fund to acquire data in frontier basins last year. Now it has hired Landmark to develop a database to provide online access to exploration data. The storehouse will hold both old and new exploration data and offer free access. In related action, New Zealand put seven new blocks up for auction in the Taranaki and Wanganui areas, many of them in shallow water off the North Island near existing fields