About this virtual field trip
In this virtual field trip, you'll learn how digital maps can help you:
- learn about your ancestry, culture and heritage
- identify places important to you and your whānau
- understand your wāhi,or place in the world
- record and share family stories
- discover connections between different cultures.
Introduction to Map My Waahi - discovering our shared heritage
https://vimeo.com/342933044
Video series
Belmont School students share te kotuku
https://vimeo.com/344278499
Main themes
- Shared landmarks help tell a story about your place in the world.
- Geographic features or landmarks to include in a digital story map.
- Using digital story maps to combine location, history, culture and personal stories.
Key takeaways
- Our wāhi or place helps tell the story of who we are and where we belong.
- Physical landmarks can have deep cultural and community significance beyond their appearance.
- Understanding stories behind places strengthens connections to culture, heritage and community.
Map your own waahi
https://vimeo.com/344278705
Main themes
- Interviewing family members to gather information.
- Creating timelines of historical family events.
- Mapping locations connected to family stories.
- Using digital mapping tools to create interactive story maps.
Key takeaways
- Personal and family stories are valuable sources of knowledge and history.
- Students can research, record and share their own stories.
- Digital mapping and storytelling can bring historical and cultural stories to life.
Sharing your story with Tourbuilder
https://vimeo.com/344278821
Main themes
- Using Google TourBuilder (now retired) to tell stories connected to places, people and heritage.
- Student-led demonstration of a digital mapping tool.
Key takeaways
- Students can create their own Tourbuilder projects to communicate stories in an engaging visual way.
- Geopsatial tools can support storytelling, learning and the exploration of a shared heritage.
TourBuilder retired, use Google Earth
Google retired the TourBuilder tool. You can use Google Earth in a similar way to what is shown in this video.
Telling stories through Google Earth
https://vimeo.com/344278946
Featured expert: John Bailey, Google.
Main themes
- Using Google Earth and TourBuilder (now retired) to tell stories connected to places, people and heritage.
- Exploring Google Voyager as a model for digital storytelling.
Key takeaways
- Google Maps is for finding your way, Google Earth is for exploring.
- Google Voyager is an example of place based storytelling.
- Digital mapping tools can help preserve and communicate local heritage and personal connections to place.
Why should we learn about our family history?
https://vimeo.com/344518003
Main themes
- Family stories, experiences, cultures and journeys that shape who we are.
- How people who came before us influence our identity.
Key takeaways
- Learning about family history helps strengthen identity and sense of belonging.
- Every person has a unique story, but there are often shared connections across communities.
- Understanding heritage can help us better understand cultural diversity.
Mapping an Antarctic voyage
https://vimeo.com/344518460
Featured expert: Rosanna, 2019 Antarctic Heritage Trust Inspiring Explorer.
Main themes
- Creating story maps to communicate and record adventures.
- Using GPS tools to connect stories to locations.
Key takeaways
- Mapping can help people capture and communicate journeys, experiences and heritage stories in a meaningful format.
- Personal stories become more engaging when they are connected to specific locations and visualised geographically.
Celebrating different cultures in Lower Hutt
https://vimeo.com/344518770
Featured expert: Mayor Ray Wallace, Lower Hutt.
Main themes
- The value of cultural diversity in local communities.
- How people's histories shape communities.
- How councils respond to the needs of different cultural groups.
Key takeaways
- Cultural diversity brings benefits to communities, but also requires understanding, communication and inclusive planning.
- Local councils have a role in making sure services work for people from different backgrounds.
- Shared stories and histories can strengthen community connections.
Learning ArcGIS Storymaps with Duane
https://vimeo.com/344519063
Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, LINZ.
Main themes
- Creating story maps using ArcGIS StoryMaps.
- Explore examples in the ArcGIS Gallery.
Key takeaways
- StoryMaps combine maps, images and narrative to communicate information in an engaging way.
- You can find free resources to teach you how to use StoryMaps.
Create a digital pepeha
https://vimeo.com/344761520
Main themes
- Creating a digital pepeha using the pepeha.nz.
- Encouraging exploration of whakapapa and belonging.
Key takeaways
- You don't need to already have a pepeha to get started.
- A completed pepeha can be shared in a digital format as a way of expressing identity and connection to place.
The importance of pepeha
https://vimeo.com/344761610
Main themes
- The role of pepeha in expressing identity.
- Connections between whānau, whakapapa and place.
Key takeaways
- A pepeha helps people introduce themselves through their connections to places, people and history.
- Knowing your pepeha strengthens your sense of identity and belonging.
- Personal connections to whenua and whānau are important parts of cultural wellbeing.
- Young people can play an active role in preserving and sharing their stories.
Sharing oral histories
https://vimeo.com/344761672
Featured expert: Lynette Townsend, Historian, Ministry of Culture and Heritage.
Main themes
- Recording and sharing oral histories.
- Using digital mapping and storytelling tools.
- Exploring New Zealand's natural and cultural heritage.
- Developing geospatial skills through storytelling.
Key takeaways
- Creating a digital record of personal and cultural stories helps preserve them for future generations.
- Mapping tools provide practical ways to record, visualise and share heritage stories.
Research your ancestry
https://vimeo.com/344761774
Featured expert: Lynette Townsend, Historian, Ministry of Culture and Heritage.
Main themes
- Using trusted online resources to research people and places.
- Researching ancestry and family history.
Key takeaways
- Historical and genealogical research can be useful content for storytelling projects.
- You can store and share heritage through digital mapping tools.
Core messages from the video series
1. Discover who you are through place
Places, landmarks and whakapapa help shape identity, belonging and connections to the world around us.
2. Map can do more than show location
Use digital mapping tools to help bring stories, culture and history to life.
3. Connect people, places and history
Mapping can reveal relationships between landscapes, cultures and generations.
4. Share knowledge for future generations
Explore ways to research, record and communicate personal and community stories through digital storytelling.
Overall LINZ connection
- Providing location information and geospatial expertise to help people explore and understand the world around them.
- Supporting digital mapping tools that bring stories, history and culture to life.
Additional resources
Careers in geospatial and surveying
Survey and Spatial NZ - explore careers in surveying and spatial professions:
Survey and Spatial New Zealand
Tahatū Career Navigator - search for geospatial career pathways:
Earth science, surveying and positioning
GeoNet - New Zealand's official geohazard monitoring system, providing real-time mapping of earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and tsunami:
Get Ready NZ - tsunami evacuation information, hazard maps and preparedness activities, emergency planning resources for schools and families:
Natural Hazards Portal - explore natural hazard risk and access to hazard maps and local council information:
NIWA / Earth Sciences NZ Flood Hazard Map Viewer - shows modelled flood hazards across New Zealand under current and future climate conditions:
NZ Natural Hazard Teaching Resources (CRISiSLab) - a portal of hazard education resources for New Zealand schools:
https://www.crisislab.org.nz/teachingresource
Wellington Fault videos - find out more about Wellington Faults
Wellington Fault flyover video
GIS and geospatial learning
ArcGIS map viewer - explore mapping and spatial analysis using ArcGIS Online:
GIS overview - learn the basics of geographic information systems (GIS) with Esri:
Unfolding the map blog - read articles and visual stories about maps and cartography:
GIS Day and geospatial awareness
GIS Day - learn about the annual global celebration of GIS through GIS Day:
GPS resources
LINZ geodetic resources - learn about LINZ marks, software, systems and technology on earth and in space:
Nasa resources - find explanations of how GPS works and a history of geodesy:
Wikipedia constellation animation - animated diagram of GPS positioning:
LINZ data and mapping tools
LINZ datasets - create your own maps using the LINZ Data Service:
LINZ website - learn more about New Zealand's official mapping, land information and geographic data:
Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)
Maps, navigation and outdoor mapping
LINZ Data Service datasets - access the datasets used to create New Zealand's printed topographic maps:
TopoMap - explore New Zealand:
TopoMaps App - download offline maps for your phone:
NZ Topo Maps App (available separately for the North and South Islands).
Topo50 Map Guide - learn how to read New Zealand topographic maps:
Māori maps and place names
Kahurangiariki - discover traditional Māori place names and cultural history:
Maps of Te Waipounamu and Te Ika-a-Māui - explore tangata whenua place names of Aotearoa New Zealand, pre European settlement:
Maps of Te Waipounamu and Te Ika a Māui
Outdoor exploration and safety
Mountain Safety Council - resources to prepare for your next outdoor adventure:
New Zealand Mountain Safety Council
NZ Hiking and Tramping - video series featuring 3D visualisations using LINZ topographic map data:
NZ Hiking + Tramping Video Series
Teaching and classroom resources
Esri training course - complete the course Teaching with GIS:
Geospatial for Schools - explore geospatial resources for schools from LINZ:
GIS and Geography - learn how GIS can support geography education:
GIS in Schools - browse GIS learning resources for schools:
Natural Hazards Education - explore natural hazard education resources:
The GIS Lounge - check out GIS resources from the NZ Board of Geography Teachers: