WMTS and XYZ

WMTS and XYZ services return pre-rendered map tiles. They are excellent for basemaps and poor substitutes for source raster/vector data when you need analysis.

WMTS

OGC Web Map Tile Service publishes a capabilities document describing layers, tile matrix sets and formats. LINZ Data Service and LINZ Basemaps support WMTS 1.0.0.

XYZ

XYZ is a simpler {z}/{x}/{y} tile convention widely used by web maps. LINZ recommends XYZ for many JavaScript/mobile uses and supports it alongside WMTS.

Coordinate systems

LINZ imagery Basemaps provide tile matrices in NZTM2000 and Web Mercator. Web maps commonly use EPSG:3857; a desktop project doing area/distance analysis can remain in EPSG:2193 while displaying reprojected tiles.

Do not analyse tile screenshots

A tile is a rendered view. If you need pixel values, original resolution, capture metadata or classification, use the underlying GeoTIFF/COG or source dataset.

Official sources: LINZ Basemaps documentation, LDS JavaScript tile services.

Last reviewed: 26 August 2026