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LINZ elevation data

LINZ provides national merged elevation products plus individual survey products through standard open-data channels.

National merged products​

The current access page lists:

  • National 1 m Digital Elevation Model (bare earth)
  • National 1 m Digital Surface Model
  • National 1 m DEM Hillshade
  • National 1 m DSM Hillshade
  • index of individual datasets

The merged products are automatically updated as newer data becomes available.

Individual surveys​

Use individual regional/survey datasets when capture date, source agency, point cloud or project report matters. These normally include some combination of:

  • classified point cloud
  • 1 m DEM
  • 1 m DSM
  • tile index
  • project extent
  • flight lines/report metadata

Access routes​

  • LINZ Data Service elevation — browse/download and 3D preview
  • AWS New Zealand Elevation — bulk COG access
  • LINZ Basemaps — hillshade/terrain visualisation
  • OpenTopography — alternative extraction and processing interface

CRS and heights​

National programme data uses NZTM2000 (EPSG:2193) horizontally and NZVD2016 (EPSG:7839) vertically. Older survey datasets can have legacy vertical-datum history, so inspect the metadata rather than assigning NZVD2016 by assumption.

Attribution​

LINZ publishes elevation acquired by multiple licensors. Use the attribution specified for the dataset. The general web shorthand can be Sourced from LINZ. CC BY 4.0 with the LINZ attribution page linked where applicable.

Last reviewed: 26 August 2026

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