New Zealand Continental Shelf Lambert Conformal 2000 (NZCS2000)

New Zealand Continental Shelf Lambert Conformal 2000 (NZCS2000) projection is used for mapping and representing spatial data covering the New Zealand continental shelf.

New Zealand Continental Shelf Lambert Conformal 2000 (NZCS2000) is mapping projection used for official topographic maps produced for the entire New Zealand continental shelf. Separate projections are defined for mainland New Zealand and for its offshore islands:

There will always be some distortion coordinates are converted from a curved surface, such as Earth, to a flat map. Projections are used manage this distortion, and let us relate a position to a consistent coordinate in the format Easting (E), Northing (N). They also allow us to easily measure distances in metres (m).

NZCS2000 uses a Lambert conformal conic projection. This is a cone-shaped projection that is allows accurate representation of regions with substantial east-west extents.

NZCS2000 is defined in the LINZ standard LINZS25002:

Standard for New Zealand Geodetic Datum 2000 Projections

The key parameters from this standard are summarised below
NameNew Zealand Continental Shelf Lambert Conformal 2000
AbbreviationNZCS2000
Coverage area

The New Zealand continental shelf (specific projections are provided for mainland New Zealand and the offshore islands:

ESPG code17964
Projection typeLambert conformal conic
Coordinate typeCartesian
Reference ellipsoidGRS80
DatumNZGD2000
First standard parallel37° 30' 00" South
Second standard parallel44° 30' 00" South
Origin latitude41° 00' 00" South
Origin longitude173° 00' 00" East
False Northing7,000,000 metres North
False Easting3,000,000 metres East
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