About this virtual field trip
In this virtual field trip, you can learn how you can:
- gather data about historic places and landmarks
- plot data on maps to create digital stories
- preserve historic information for future generations
- use mapping technology for conservation monitoring and projects.
Introduction to Map My Waahi: my place, my story (Taranaki)
https://vimeo.com/280650380
Video series
Kobotoolbox on Phone
https://vimeo.com/282469530
Main theme
- Tutorial on how to use KoboToolbox on your phone for collecting images and data from field work.
Key takeaways
- Phones can be used for gathering field data that can be mapped later.
- Digital tools make it easier to collect and record information about places.
- Digital tools can be used to monitor the environment for conservation purposes.
Puniho Track Map part 1 - Using Photos
https://vimeo.com/282469758
Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.
Main themes
- Tutorial on how to use Google My Maps to record information from a field trip.
- Using photos as evidence or reference points when creating a map.
- Collecting and organising geographic information for mapping.
Key takeaways
- Photos can be used to enrich maps by adding context, stories and visual evidence to locations.
- GPS tagging with your phone can be the easiest way to add information to a map.
- Marking features on a map highlights important features of a location.
Puniho Track Map part 2 - Using Photos
https://vimeo.com/282469827
Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.
Main themes
- Creating layers on a map in Google My Maps to make the map easier to scan.
- Adding descriptions and colouring points to highlight significant areas at a location.
Key takeaway
- You can create layers to maps, add descriptions and colour points to make Google My Maps easier to scan.
The Story of Te Toka a Rauhoto
https://vimeo.com/282479157
Featured expert: Dennis Ngawhare.
Main themes
- Preserving and sharing local stories, histories and cultural knowledge connected to significant sites.
- Learning about Māori history and whakapapa through stories associated with places.
Key takeaway
- Stories connected to landmarks help people understand the significance of a place and strengthen connections to whenua and heritage.
Tikanga for Hikoi
https://vimeo.com/282479413
Featured expert: Te Poihi Campbell.
Main themes
- Protocols before starting an activity or hikoi.
- As part of tikanga Māori the spiritual support, environment and respect for the job to do is acknowledged before entering a tapu location.
Key takeaways
- Tikanga Māori activities are commonly carried out before, during and after field work in tapu locations.
- Tikanga Māori activities can be used to connect and focus on the work to do together before starting field work.
The Significance of the Hangaatahua Awa
https://vimeo.com/282479945
Featured expert: Dennis Ngawhare.
Main themes
- The cultural significance of the Hangātahua awa to the local hāpu.
- Water sampling as part of data gathering and conservation of clean water.
- Differences in rock formations between awa and maunga due to erosion.
- Preserving local history, culture and knowledge for future generations.
Key takeaways
- Mapping significant locations can preserve cultural history and knowledge as well as geographical features.
Mapping Today's Hikoi
https://vimeo.com/282487612
Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.
Main themes
- How data gathered from a hikoi to Puniho Pā and Hangātahua Awa can be transformed into a visual story map in Google My Maps.
- Water sampling in awa to gather data on quality using the online tool KoboCollect, from the KoboToolbox website.
- Demonstration of form fields of the KoboCollect tool, and how photos are stored in it.
- KoboToolbox tools can be used for conservation monitoring.
Key takeaways
- Field trip data can be turned into interactive story maps.
- Data gathering tools are a useful way of mapping water quality and changes to the environment for conservation purposes.
Gathering Data for Maps
https://vimeo.com/282487815
Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.
Main themes
- Explanation of data for maps, including places, stories and photos.
- Using phones to capture data such as a GPS track, photos of significant places.
Key takeaways
- Gathering data starts before you can make your map.
- Students can use their phone to gather data for creating a map.
Using iNaturalist to help scientists
https://vimeo.com/282646234
Featured expert: Emily King, Senior Biodiversity Ranger, Taranaki MoungaProject.
Main themes
- Citizen science and community participation in conservation.
- Biodiversity monitoring and bird identification.
Key takeaways
- You can be a citizen scientist and use the iNaturalist app to record and share observations of wildlife.
- Information collected through iNaturalist can help scientists better understand species distribution and biodiversity.
- Technology can make it easier for people to participate in environmental monitoring and conservation activities.
Locating whio
https://vimeo.com/282646563
Featured experts: Joe Carson and Tai.
Main themes
- The use of trained conservation dogs in wildlife monitoring.
- Biodiversity conservation and species protection.
- Mapping and geospatial technology such as GPS devices and applications to support conservation activities.
Key takeaways
- Monitoring is important for understanding the health and distribution of whio populations.
- Accurate location data helps track wildlife and supports conservation projects.
Technology helps control predators
https://vimeo.com/282660378
Featured expert: Tim Sjoberg.
Main themes
- Predator control in a national park.
- Turning field data and maps into practical conservation action.
- Using trail cameras and phones to gather data on predators.
- Using technology to notify when a trap has been triggered.
Key takeaways
- Better quality data leads to more accurate mapping of predator activity and control efforts.
- Mapping helps conservation teams understand where predator control work is needed and how effective it is.
- Technology, such as GIS, helps manage trapping so more predators are caught.
How to use iNaturalist
https://vimeo.com/282660702
Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.
Main theme
- Using iNaturalist on your phone or laptop as a learning and mapping tool for environmental observations.
Key takeaway
- iNaturalist's mapping features allow users to see where species observations have been recorded.
Creating a map using Wednesday's Taranaki data
https://vimeo.com/282765225
Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.
Main themes
- Creating a simple map using Google My Maps.
- Using real world data from field trips into tools to create maps.
Key takeaways
- Data collected in the field can be converted into a digital map.
- Mapping tools help make complex information and data easier to understand.
Creating a simple environmental monitoring project using free My Maps
https://vimeo.com/282767266
Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.
Main theme
- Creating an environmental monitoring map in Google My Maps.
Key takeaways
- Google My Maps can be used as a free tool to create environmental monitoring projects.
- Mapping field observations can present environmental data in a visual and easily accessible format.
Maunga Toitu Maunga Toiora
https://vimeo.com/282834658
Featured expert: Te Poihi Campbell
Main themes
- Restoring and projecting the natural environment, including sites such as Rotokare Scenic Reserve.
- Māori identity, place and connection to whenua through, wāhi, places of significance.
Key takeaways
- Cultural and environmental wellbeing are closely linked.
- Everyone should take part in conservation activities.
Taranaki Mounga Project
https://vimeo.com/282834915
Featured expert: Sean Zieltjes, Taranaki Mounga Project Manager.
Main theme
- Overview of the goals of the Taranaki Mounga Project to protect biodiversity and have people connect to the area.
Key takeaway
- If you don't have community support, you don't have a project.
Restoring Rotokare Scenic Reserve
https://vimeo.com/282835247
Featured expert: Simon Collins, Rotokare Sanctuary Manager.
Main themes
- Community led conservation efforts to create a pest-free wildlife sanctuary.
Key takeaway
- Community support, volunteer effort and local commitment are critical to achieving conservation outcomes.
Making measurements with My Maps
https://vimeo.com/282835528
Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.
Main themes
- Using Google My Maps satellite images and maths to measure distances and areas of locations.
- Building geospatial and math skills using mapping tools.
Key takeaway
- Mapping activities help develop practical spatial thinking and maths skills.
Core messages from the video series
1. Maps help tell the stories of people and places
Mapping can preserve local history, cultural knowledge, whakapapa and significant landmarks so they can be shared with future generations.
2. Anyone can collect and use data to better understand their environment
Phones, GPS, photos and simple digital tools make it easy to gather information and turn it into maps and story maps.
3. Geospatial technology supports conservation
Mapping and data collection help track biodiversity, monitor water quality, locate wildlife and pests.
Overall LINZ connection
- Providing location information and geospatial expertise to help people explore and understand the world around them.
- Using digital mapping to preserve local history and conserve biodiversity.
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: