This month, specialist survey aircraft will once again take to the skies to map coastal areas across the North and South Islands. The flights are part of Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand’s (LINZ) 3D Coastal Mapping programme which aims to map up to 40 percent of New Zealand’s coastline using LiDAR and multi-beam echosounder technologies.
Programme Lead Stuart Caie says the 3D Coastal Mapping information will help build a clearer picture of New Zealand’s coastal environment and the risks it faces.
‘New Zealand’s coastline is exposed to natural hazards including tsunamis, storm surges, erosion, land movement and earthquakes.
‘By creating a clearer picture of the coast, this information will help communities understand what may be at risk and support councils and other organisations to plan infrastructure and essential services for the future.
‘People may notice the aircraft flying backwards and forwards along the coast. Flying in these repeated lines allows us to collect consistent and accurate information about the land and shallow seafloor,’ says Mr Caie.
The purpose of gathering this data is to support the creation of detailed maps of the coastline, across the land and seabed in shallow water. The areas being surveyed have been selected because they have substantial populations, important infrastructure, or are at higher risk of coastal flooding.
Flying is planned from early November 2026 to May 2027 and depends on suitable weather and water conditions.
LINZ’s specialist mapping suppliers, Woolpert in the North Island and NV5 Geospatial in the South Island, will map coastal areas of Auckland, Waikato, Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Southland, Canterbury, the West Coast and Marlborough. LINZ’s 3D Coastal Mapping Progress Tracker provides updates on the programme’s progress:
3D Coastal Mapping Progress Tracker
For more information about the Programme see
3D Coastal Mapping
Email us at 3DCM@linz.govt.nz to receive our 3DCM Programme updates.
A 3D elevation model of Thompsons Point, showing detailed coastal terrain and the seabed surrounding the coastline.
Media contact
Email: media@linz.govt.nz