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The New Zealand Vertical Datum 2016 provides a nationally consistent height reference surface. This is an important tool for planning, consenting, and infrastructure works.

New Zealand Vertical Datum 2016 (NZVD2016) is the official vertical datum. It is used to define heights in New Zealand and its offshore islands.

Geodetic technical reports commissioned by or produced for Toitū Te Whenua.

Many heights around New Zealand have been referenced to a local sea level, or local vertical datum (LVD). In the past this was the most practical method of determining a height reference point, but more robust height references are now available to replace these.

New Zealand Transverse Mercator 2000 (NZTM2000) is the projection used for New Zealand's Topo50 1:50,000 and other small-scale mapping. It is the recommended projection for use within mainland New Zealand.

In New Zealand the accuracy of coordinates and heights is classified using a system of orders. These indicate the expected accuracy of specific components so users can assess the reliability of their geospatial data.

The Orders of normal-orthometric heights have been updated to reflect the accuracy definitions in the LINZS25005 and LINZS25006 standards.

The New Zealand Geodetic Datum 2000 (NZGD2000) is our official geodetic datum, used to define positions in New Zealand and its offshore islands.

New Zealand Geodetic Datum 1949 (NZGD1949) was previously used to define positions on the New Zealand mainland. New Zealand Geodetic Datum 2000 (NZGD2000) superseded NZGD1949 and is now the official datum.

Example transformations for each of the projections used in New Zealand.

This page lists the transformation factors that are used in the 3-parameter and 7-parameter similarity transformations between New Zealand Geodetic Datum 1949 (NZGD1949) and New Zealand Geodetic Datum 2000 (NZGD2000).

The transformation grid method can be used to change horizontal coordinates between New Zealand Geodetic Datum 1949 (NZGD1949) and New Zealand Geodetic Datum 2000 (NZGD2000).

The mathematical equations used to convert coordinates between vertical datums.

Three different datum transformation methods can be used for transformation between NZGD1949 and NZGD2000.

Chatham Islands Geodetic Datum 1979 (CIGD1979) coordinates can be converted to New Zealand Geodetic Datum 2000 (NZGD2000) using a 7-parameter similarity transformation.

Selected workshops hosted by Toitū Te Whenua, relating to geodesy in New Zealand.

We support mapping, surveying, and the use of spatial data by providing coordinate systems for New Zealand and our offshore islands, the Chatham Islands and Antarctica.

When coordinates are transformed from a curved surface to a flat map, some of the accuracy in the coordinate is lost because all projections have some degree of distortion. Convergence, scale factors and declination can reduce the distortion and give a more accurate representation of the Earth’s surface.

New Zealand Geodetic Datum (NZGD2000) is a semi-dynamic datum. This means that the effects of plate tectonics are considered as part of the processes and frameworks when determining a coordinate for a position. However, the impact might not be immediately obvious to users.

The New Zealand Vertical Datum 2016 (NZVD2016) was introduced to replace the various local height datums used throughout the country. It enables the consistent collection and seamless exchange of heights across New Zealand. Older datums are still in use in some areas but their reliability is uncertain and Toitū Te Whenua strongly advise switching to NZVD2016.

The nature of the local vertical datum (LVD) networks can lead to inconsistencies, depending on the source of the heights used. This can create challenges and is why New Zealand Vertical Datum 2016 (NZVD2016) should be used whenever possible.

The following process is for applying the adjustment using ogr2ogr.

Geodetic Mark Coordinate Update - 1 December 2018.

We publish information that describes the implementation and use of New Zealand’s geodetic system. This information is provided to support users of geodetic data and provides background information for research purposes. This section includes geodetic publications that are available from Toitū Te Whenua.

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 Map Grid (NZMG) was previously used as the projection for topographic 1:50,000 and other small-scale mapping in mainland New Zealand. New Zealand Transverse Mercator 2000 (NZTM2000) replaced NZMG in 2001 and is now the official projection used in New Zealand.

New Zealand Geodetic Datum 1949 (NZGD1949) ‘D’ coordinates were computed and adjusted in terms of New Zealand Geodetic Datum 2000 (NZGD2000) and then transformed into NZGD1949 using a grid transformation.

In May 2010, a new set of orders for positions and heights was introduced for New Zealand and the Ross Sea Region. This led to revisions in how coordinate accuracy is determined and displayed. This section also covers other order systems, including NZGD1949, previously used in New Zealand.

This page contains information on the orders that define the accuracy of coordinates and heights in New Zealand.

In 2010, 5a control marks were reclassified from order 5 to order 6. They have since been tested against the standards and the appropriate orders assigned.

The Orders of control marks have been updated to reflect the accuracy definitions in the LINZS25005 and LINZS25006 standards.

The World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) is a global datum, used for determining positions on the Earth's surface. The WGS84 is a reference system used by the satellite navigation systems like GPS and is used in various mapping applications.