Source: Herenga ā Nuku – the Outdoor Access Commission
Hundreds of public access easements held in the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) internal property records are now visible to the public for the first time, marking a significant step forward for public access transparency.
The milestone follows an ongoing collaboration, working together to translate historic legal records into mapped digital data that can be viewed by the public.
The Outdoor Access Commission has published 858 land parcels -representing 175 confirmed DOC public access easements – on its mapping system (WAMS). Until now, these easements have been recorded in DOC’s National Property and Land Information System (NaPALIS). Many existed in legal documentation rather than mapped spatial layers, meaning they had not previously appeared on any public-facing map.
Outdoor Access Commission geospatial manager Matt Grose says DOC converting the information into accurate mapping data gives a free, accessible and public way to view the data.
“Many of these easements were contained in legal instruments rather than digital map files,” Matt says. “We have turned that historic property information into accurate spatial data that can be confidently shared with the public.”
Many of the newly displayed easements show legal public access links between the ends of formed roads and public conservation land. In many cases, access has existed in law for years, but people have not been able to easily see those routes when planning trips.
DOC’s spokesperson, Manu King, Geospatial Services Manager, says the release reflects both teamwork between agencies and the increasing value of public data.
It demonstrates what can be achieved when technical teams work together with a common purpose. By combining property expertise, GIS capability and the commission’s mapping platforms, we’ve been able to unlock information that benefits all New Zealanders.”
The commission is displaying the easements on WAMS and its Pocket Maps app, making the information readily accessible to people naturing; walkers, hunters, trampers and others who recreate on public conservation land.
“Map users will now be able to see how public access actually reaches DOC land,” Matt says. “Instead of an isolated block of conservation land, people can see the legal access that connects them to it.”
The initial release will soon be followed by a second tranche of around 300 additional easements currently undergoing verification. Many of these are older records that require manual review and confirmation before they can be confidently mapped and published.
Outdoor Access Commission chief executive Dan Wildy says the publication of public access easements is another step to deliver transparent and accessible information related to public access.
“Through our GIS team, helped by our partners at DOC, we are delivering greater public access information than at any other time in our country’s history.”
Together, this mahi reflects a shared commitment to making public access clearer, more visible and easier to understand – now and into the future.
Three examples of these easements
