Celebrating GIS and public access
World GIS Day showcases how geospatial technology connects people and places. At Herenga ā Nuku, we use GIS every day to improve public access to Aotearoa’s outdoors. 2025 has been a big year for our GIS team.
More accurate public access information on our maps
We launched a new Public Access Areas (PAA) layer on our mapping system (WAMS), making it easier for users to identify land that is legally accessible for recreation and transport.
This upgrade clarifies access rights and integrates with other layers, such as tracks, hunting and fishing areas, and conservation land. It provides map users with more information and more accurate information than ever before.
View the new Public Access Areas layer on our maps
Pocket Maps – public access in your pocket
Our Pocket Maps app now offers offline topographic maps, elevation profiles, and detailed layers for tracks, huts, campsites, and hunting/fishing access points.
Users can download regional maps, check their location, and plan routes even without mobile coverage—perfect for safe outdoor adventures. We have been working hard in 2025 to future-proof our Pocket Maps app. We have a plan for 2026 to rebuild it better than it is.
Partnering with LINZ to help in emergencies
Herenga ā Nuku is leading a national project to improve track data as part of LINZ’s 2025/26 Key Data Improvement Plan. Tracks aren’t just for recreation—they’re vital for emergency response and resilience. Accurate track data helps emergency services plan evacuation routes and reach isolated communities during disasters.
When the project is finished, we’ll make nationwide emergency-ready metadata and track data freely available for agencies and the public.