Getting started
Start with the mahi, then choose the tool. A marae asset survey, an iwi planning map, a hapū historical-research project and a taiao monitoring programme do not need the same software stack.
This section introduces common GIS tools used in Aotearoa and explains where each one is useful without turning software choice into a statement about the kaupapa itself.
Start by audience
| If you are... | A useful starting point |
|---|---|
| iwi or hapū researcher | QGIS for combining Māori land, parcels, imagery, historical maps and research tables |
| marae team | KoboToolbox, Survey123 or Field Maps for assets and inspections; QGIS for the wider map |
| taiao or kaitiaki team | QField, KoboToolbox, Field Maps or Survey123 for observations; QGIS or ArcGIS for catchment and environmental analysis |
| Māori land trust | QGIS or ArcGIS Pro for whenua, access, property, imagery, terrain and planning layers |
| rangatahi or new GIS learner | the QGIS practical course plus a familiar place and public Aotearoa data |
| communications or planning team | StoryMaps, web maps or Google Earth when the main task is explaining a spatial story |
| experienced GIS practitioner | jump directly into Māori land data, property/cadastre, imagery, LiDAR or live data services |
Choose by task
| What you need to do | Good starting options | A useful first step |
|---|---|---|
| View maps and spatial data | ArcGIS Earth, Google Earth web, QGIS | Open an existing dataset and explore a familiar place or rohe |
| Make a simple map | QGIS, Google My Maps | Create one working layer and add the information needed for the question |
| Produce formal maps | QGIS, ArcGIS Pro | Build a reusable layout with purpose, sources, date and limitations |
| Collect information in the field | QField, ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, KoboToolbox | Build a small form or editable layer and test the complete field-to-map loop |
| Share an interactive map | ArcGIS Online, StoryMaps or another web GIS | Prepare a version designed for that audience rather than exposing the whole working database |
| Work offline or keep project data local | QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Earth | Keep source data and provenance in a portable local project with backups |
| Explore Google imagery, historical imagery and Street View | Google Earth web | Use Google's imagery and browser features for visual investigation |
The best tool is the one that does the job, fits the people using it and can be understood and maintained over time.
Google will stop offering new downloads of Google Earth Pro desktop on 25 June 2027. Existing installations can continue after that date, but new desktop workflows should not depend on being able to install it in future. For Windows desktop viewing, local KML/KMZ and offline spatial files, this guide now prefers ArcGIS Earth. Use Google Earth in the browser when Google's imagery, historical imagery and Street View are what you actually need.
Read ArcGIS Earth or Google Earth Pro desktop is becoming legacy.
A practical tool-selection check
Before choosing software, write down:
- what the GIS needs to help with
- who will actually use it
- whether the work is mainly desktop, field or web based
- whether several people need to edit the same information
- whether the project must work offline
- whether large imagery or LiDAR files are involved
- what formats partners or councils genuinely need
- where the working data will live
- how another kaimahi would continue the project later
These questions usually narrow the software choice quickly.
A simple starting pattern
- Pick one real question about whenua, taiao, marae, history or place.
- Find two or three useful source datasets.
- Choose the simplest tool that can combine them.
- Build a small working result.
- Record the source and date of each layer.
- Check the output against the landscape, source record or people involved in the mahi where that is part of the work.
- Expand only when the first workflow is useful.
You do not need to read every tool page. Follow the path that matches the work and return to the rest when the project changes.
Where to go next
- QGIS — general-purpose desktop GIS and the main free learning path.
- Field GIS — QField, Field Maps, Survey123 and KoboToolbox.
- ArcGIS nonprofit pathway — for eligible Māori nonprofit organisations considering the Esri ecosystem.
- Google Earth — imagery-led exploration, KML/KMZ and simple spatial storytelling.
- Māori GIS projects and resources — see what iwi, hapū and other Māori organisations have built.
Last reviewed: 26 August 2026