What a hapū could use ArcGIS for

The value of a nonprofit licence is not having more Esri icons. It is whether a connected web/field workflow solves a real piece of mahi.

Taiao monitoring

Survey123 can collect structured observations and photos; Field Maps can edit/map features; ArcGIS Online can host a shared layer; Dashboards can summarise counts/trends.

Example workflow:

field observation → hosted feature layer → internal map → reviewed summary dashboard

Keep source observations distinct from any public summary layer.

Marae asset and resilience mapping

A marae can map buildings, water tanks, valves, access routes, generators, assembly areas and hazard context. Field Maps supports map-based editing; Survey123 suits condition forms. A print layout or offline map remains useful when connectivity fails.

Use the asset structure on the Marae GIS page and the complete Marae emergency map worked example rather than a separate synthetic template file.

Papakāinga screening

ArcGIS Pro can combine Māori land/parcel context, slope, flood/hazard, access, services and planning layers. The output is scenario screening, not a replacement for planning, engineering or whenua decisions.

See Papakāinga and housing GIS.

StoryMaps

StoryMaps works well where the output needs maps plus explanation: restoration progress, historical change, a public research story, project updates or a guided place journey. It is more useful when the narrative explains sources and uncertainty rather than simply decorating a map.

Internal map hub

ArcGIS Online groups plus Experience Builder/Instant Apps can create a simple internal map landing page for staff who do not use desktop GIS. Use hosted view layers to expose only the fields/features needed for that audience.

Council/partner collaboration

Because many councils and agencies use ArcGIS, an Esri environment can simplify sharing feature services, web maps and StoryMaps. That convenience does not require every local dataset to be moved into a partner's cloud environment.

Training

Esri currently includes unlimited e-learning in its Nonprofit Program. Use that to build more than one capable administrator/editor rather than leaving the platform with one GIS person.

Related: ArcGIS Online, Field GIS, Publishing.

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026