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Field GIS

Field GIS connects what the map says with what people can see, measure, photograph and record on the whenua. A phone or tablet is enough for many jobs; the right tool depends on the work rather than the length of its feature list.

Start by audience and mahi​

If you are...Common field workUseful starting tool
marae teamassets, water tanks, generators, access, maintenance, emergency resourcesKoboToolbox, Survey123 or Field Maps
taiao/kaitiaki teamawa observations, restoration, pests, weeds, repeat monitoringQField, KoboToolbox, Field Maps or Survey123
Māori land trustwhenua inspections, access, infrastructure, project visitsQField, KoboToolbox or Field Maps
cultural heritage/research teamsite visits, photographs, current observations linked to historical evidenceQField or KoboToolbox
rangatahi projectGPS, photos, simple forms and learning the field-to-map loopKoboToolbox or QField
existing ArcGIS organisationmap-based editing and structured formsField Maps and Survey123
existing QGIS organisationediting the same layers and styles used at the deskQField

Choose the collection pattern​

Map first​

Choose QField or ArcGIS Field Maps when collectors need to see existing features, navigate between them, edit geometry and work directly with map layers.

Form first​

Choose Survey123 or KoboToolbox when the questions and validation are the centre of the workflow. The collector may only need one location plus a structured set of observations and photographs.

Mixed​

Many mature workflows use both. A taiao project may maintain master site geometry in QGIS, collect repeat observations with Kobo forms, then join those records back to sites for analysis.

Tool guide​

ToolParticularly useful whenEcosystem
QFieldthe main GIS is QGIS and the field map needs the same layers/styles/formsQGIS/open source
ArcGIS Field Mapsthe organisation already uses ArcGIS Online/EnterpriseArcGIS
Survey123structured forms are central and ArcGIS is already in useArcGIS
KoboToolboxform-based collection needs to work across community/field contexts at low costopen source/web + Android app

For Kobo, use the detailed pathway: field work → form design → GPS/media → QGIS export.

Record only useful accuracy​

A coordinate is a measurement. Phone GNSS can be useful for a culvert, planting site or field observation and completely unsuitable for defining a legal boundary. Record the device-reported accuracy where it matters and record whether geometry came from GNSS, imagery or another method.

Work offline deliberately​

Before leaving coverage:

  1. open the project or form on the actual device
  2. confirm basemaps/forms are available offline
  3. collect several test records
  4. attach photographs
  5. close and reopen the app
  6. confirm unsynchronised records remain available
  7. return/synchronise and inspect the result in the desktop GIS

Field workflow examples​

  • Marae: collect asset condition and photographs, then combine the records with Marae GIS.
  • Awa: collect repeat observations at stable site IDs, then add REC2/catchments and monitoring data.
  • Restoration: record planting blocks and repeat survival observations, then compare against imagery.
  • Historical research: record what is visible today while keeping the current field observation distinct from the historical source.

For a reusable field observation structure, create only the fields the project needs. A practical minimum is:

observation_id
observation_type
observed_date
status
notes
photo_reference
gps_accuracy
geometry_source
checked_by

See the Marae emergency map and Awa restoration worked examples for two different ways to apply this structure.

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

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