Publicly Available GIS and Statistical Data Sources

Oct 20, 2021 | Urban Planning/Urban Design

General Basemap Data

 

Auckland GeoMaps

Auckland GeoMaps is Council’s GIS viewer which contains spatial and non-spatial information across Auckland. Map data can be downloaded as a PDF or as a shapefile, KML file, AutoCAD DWG file, or file Geodatabase.

Useful data include:

  • Theme > Aerials: provides historic aerial photography
  • Theme > Assets > Catchment and Hydrology: contains information on Floodplains and Overland Flow Paths
  • Theme > Assets > Underground Services: contains information on wastewater, stormwater, and other utility services
  • Theme > Environment > LandCover: contains information on kerblines, impervious surfaces, and building footprints 
  • Search (using the eye icon) “decisions” to see layers on the AUP such as Overlays, Controls, Designations and Precincts
  • Search “zone” to see AUP zoning overlays

This page provides a lot of useful guides on how to use Geomaps.

 

Stats NZ: Datafinder

Stats NZ Datafinder is Stats NZ’s primary platform for statistical geospatial data, which provides data on meshblocks, SA1 and 2, and Census data. Data can be downloaded for GIS (.shp), CAD (.dwg), Google Earth (.kml), Excel (.csv), and .pdf.

Useful data include:

[Note: when mapping data from the 2018 census, make sure to use the SA data from 2018]

 

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)

LINZ’s Data Service provides geospatial data published by LINZ which can be downloaded for GIS (.shp), CAD (.dwg), Google Earth (.kml), Excel (.csv), and .pdf. Data accessible on LINZ includes roads, parcels, property and ownership.

Useful data include:

 

Koordinates

Koordinates is a geospatial data management platform which aggregates New Zealand data from publishers including LINZ, Stats NZ, District and City Councils, Universities, and other organisations. It allows you to download data for GIS (.shp), CAD (.dwg), Google Earth (.kml), Excel (.csv), and .pdf.

 

Open Street Map

OpenStreetMap is a collaborative project to create a free editable geographic database of the world. It includes information such as parks, cycling networks, and road types, suitable for use as a basemap. However, exported data will be downloaded as an OpenStreetMap (.osm) file, and must be converted before it can be opened in ArcGIS.

 

Statistical Data

 

Stats NZ

2018 Census data includes place summaries (ranging from small area, district, region, or whole of NZ) of data on population, dwellings, health, education, housing, ethnicity and culture, work and income, transport, and more.

Geographic Boundary Viewer provides the spatial extent of all statutory and statistical boundaries, from Regional Councils to District Health Boards to Statistical Areas.

 

Stats NZ: NZ Stat

NZ.Stat is an open online data tool which allows you to create tables from large datasets and customise the variables you want to export. NZ.Stat contains useful information including Census data, ethnicity, age, disability, etc.

 

Stats NZ: Infoshare

Infoshare is a self-service open online data tool which contains a long term historic series of population and economic data.

 

Specific Topic Areas

 

Social Deprivation

The 2018 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is a tool to help identify concentrations of deprivation in New Zealand. It comprises 29 indicators grouped into seven domains: employment, income, crime, housing, health, education, and access to services. There is also an online interactive map available.

The 2018 New Zealand Index of Deprivation (NZDep) is based on nine Census variables: communications, income, employment, qualification, owned home, support, living space, and living conditions. NZDep is displayed as deciles, 1 representing least deprivation and 10 most. An online interactive map by EHINZ is available here.

 

Māori and Iwi

Te Puni Kōkiri The Ministry of Māori Development has a range of available data and mapping sources located under Whakamahia (support, information, and opportunities)> Land, conservation, and environment. Their ArcGIS Online Database is also regularly updated with downloadable shapefile data and maps of Marae locations and Iwi areas of interest.

 

Environment and Climate

Auckland GeoMaps contains information on flooding, regional parks, biodiversity, contours, wind areas, etc.

Environment Auckland Data Portal contains primary data on air quality, freshwater, and marine health from Auckland Council’s State of the Environment monitoring programmes. 

NIWA has an interactive website to provide climate change projection visualisations. Other interactive maps include the Drought Monitor.

Koordinates includes geographical data on the environment from organisations like Landcare Research and the Ministry for the Environment.

Landcare Research OurEnvironment has an interactive online map which provides information on land and soils. Requires registration.

The Ministry for the Environment Data Service provides information on freshwater, environmental reporting, land, marine, air, and climate. 

The Land Resource Information Systems (LRIS) Portal provides information relating to the environment and land resources of New Zealand, including data on soil stability, mean temperatures, threatened ecosystems, etc. 

The Department of Conservation (DOC) Maps contain information on landcover, environmental boundaries, public conservation areas, and coastal marine habitats.

Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) shared environmental information across New Zealand’s regional councils and unitary authorities. 

Watercare GIS provides information on Auckland’s three waters networks.

 

Transport and Crash Information

Waka Kotahi Crash Analysis System (CAS) data contains information on all traffic crashes reported to Waka Kotahi by the NZ Police. This includes information on the crash severity, weather conditions, type of crash, etc.

  • The crash data should be read in conjunction with this Guide.
  • A basic online interactive map can be found here.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a geographic information system (GIS)?

A GIS is a computer system that analyses and displays geographically referenced information. By knowing precise locations of certain information, spatial analysis can be undertaken. 

What is NZGD2000?

The NZGD2000 is the coordinate system for surveying, mapping, and positioning in New Zealand. Coordinates are what allows all the data on your map to line up with each other.

What’s the difference between meshblocks, area units, primary parcels, and statistical areas?

Here are their definitions and common uses:

  • Primary parcels are parcels of land which are or are intended to be:
    • owned by the Crown, with the exception of a movable marginal strip;
    • held in fee simple;
    • Māori freehold land or Māori customary land;
    • part of the common marine and coastal area;
    • the bed of a lake or river;
    • road or railway; or
    • vested in a local authority.
    • Any land that is not a primary parcel is called a secondary, or non-primary parcel.
  • Meshblocks are the smallest geographic unit for which statistical data is reported by Statistics NZ. Meshblocks are used to provide small areas which can be aggregated into statistical geographies such as sampling, collection, and output areas. They are also used to identify polling and electorate areas.
  • Statistical Area 1 (SA 1) is built by joining meshblocks. SA1s have an ideal size range of 100–200 residents, and a maximum population of about 500. Some SA1s that contain apartment blocks, retirement villages, and large non-residential facilities have more than 500 residents.
  • Statistical Area 2 (SA2) is made up of an aggregation of SA1s. The SA2 geography aims to reflect communities that interact together socially and economically. SA2s in city council areas generally have a population of 2,000–4,000 while SA2s in district council areas generally have a population of 1,000–3,000. In rural areas, many SA2s have fewer than 1,000 because they contain sparse populations that cover a large area.
  • Area units are aggregations of adjacent meshblocks with coterminous boundaries to form a single unbroken surface area. This has now been replaced by Statistical Areas.