Putting New Zealand on the Map

Date: 9 July 2008

GNS is a geospatial organisation. Its data has a spatial context and GNS uses Geographic Information Systems extensively for analysis of geospatial data.

GNS develops spatial datasets, such as the QMAP 1:250,000 geology, and has a number of spatial datasets available via the Internet.

GNS is reliant on topographic data provided by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) to put these datasets into context. The 1:250,000 topography is published with LINZ’s QMAP products.

GNS has developed digital elevation models and these are used extensively in conjunction with other data, such as demographics, lifelines and assets, to produce hazard and risk assessments. This information can be related to cadastral information at a parcel level.

Currently this service is provided by PropertyInsight, a joint venture between GNS and Quotable Value. GNS geological and hazard mapping utilises aerial photography from LINZ, and high resolution ortho-photography and digital elevation models provided by other organisations such as developers and territorial authorities or regional councils.

There is increasing demand for higher resolution topographical information in order to derive more precise hazard and risk models integrating physical spatial data with both demographics, and the built environment.