New Zealand Vertical Datum 2009 (NZVD2009)

The New Zealand Vertical Datum 2009 has been superseded by the New Zealand Vertical Datum 2016 (NZVD2016).

NZVD2009 was the official national vertical datum for New Zealand from September 2009 until June 2016.  It provided a nationally constant vertical datum for New Zealand, for the first time. It enabled the calculation of heights in the normal-orthometric height system using observations from GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) equipment, such as GPS.

NZVD2009 was defined by the NZGeoid2009 geoid, covering the New Zealand continental shelf area between 160°E –170°W and 25°S – 60°S.

Offsets were provide to transform heights from 13 major local vertical datums to NZVD2009. These offsets are listed below.

Local Vertical Datum

NZGeoid2009 Offset
(metres)

Standard Deviation
(metres)

One Tree Point 1964

0.06

0.03

Auckland 1946

0.34

0.05

Moturiki 1953

0.24

0.06

Gisborne 1926

0.34

0.02

Napier 1962

0.20

0.05

Taranaki 1970

0.32

0.05

Wellington 1953

0.44

0.04

Nelson 1955

0.29

0.07

Lyttelton 1937

0.47

0.09

Dunedin 1958

0.49

0.07

Dunedin-Bluff 1960

0.38

0.04

Bluff 1955

0.36

0.05

Stewart Island 1977

0.39

0.15