New Offshore Islands maps released

August 2011 saw the release of new maps depicting New Zealand's offshore islands, more accurately than ever before. All New Zealand offshore islands are included in this release, these are Auckland Islands, Kermadec Islands, Snares Islands / Tini Heke, Bounty, Antipodes Island Group and Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku.

Most of these islands were last mapped in the late 1970s using old imagery acquired by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). Data collection and mapping technologies have progressed in leaps and bounds since then. The data and processes LINZ used to create these maps are more accurate than was possible with previous offshore island mapping, making it easier to produce the maps at the most appropriate scale.

The process of creating the revised offshore island maps involved the use of high-resolution satellite imagery captured in the summer of 2009/10. Digital imagery is the most important element in the maintenance of Topographic maps by LINZ.

Earlier offshore island maps were based on data of variable quality and used a variety of datasets and projections.

The new offshore island maps are now all using the same geodetic datum, NZGD2000, which contributes to an industry-wide move towards standardised data. The printed maps, although drawn on their own individual TM projections, are now more compatible with modern technology such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) devices.

The re-released maps are part of ongoing maintenance process to keep New Zealand topographic maps current.

The islands are governed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), so the new maps will be used by DOC staff when visiting and working on the islands.

You can download the new Offshore Island maps for free on our website and also from the LINZ Data Service.