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QGIS

QGIS is a free, open source desktop GIS tool for viewing, analysing, and making maps. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. In Aotearoa it is widely used by councils, consultants, community groups, and iwi organisations.

QGIS suits Māori contexts because it can work fully offline, supports open formats, and lets you keep control of where files live, who has access, and what gets shared.

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QGIS is commonly said as “Q-gis” or “Q G I S”.

He aha te painga, why QGIS fits Māori GIS mahi​

QGIS is a strong fit when you need to:

  • keep a local kete of data on your device, shared drive, or server
  • work in places with limited internet
  • map whenua, taiao, and kaupapa layers without cloud lock in
  • share outputs for hui without sending raw datasets around
  • build capability across a team without licence barriers

A common pattern is to do source data work in QGIS, then publish lighter outputs for wider viewing (PDFs, images, simple web maps).

Install and updates that work in organisations​

Most organisations should install the Long Term Release (LTR). It changes less often, which reduces surprises in training and shared projects.

SituationRecommended
You want stability for a teamQGIS LTR
You need the newest featuresLatest QGIS release
You need multiple QGIS versions side by side (Windows)OSGeo4W installer (advanced)

Windows (simple path)​

  1. Go to the QGIS download page and choose the standard installer, or use OSGeo4W if your team needs it.
  2. Install QGIS LTR unless you have a clear reason not to.
  3. Open QGIS once, then set up a starter project template (steps below).

macOS and Linux (simple path)​

Use the QGIS download page and follow the installation guide for your operating system. The guide includes distribution specific steps for Linux.

Set up a Māori GIS kete folder structure​

A tidy structure saves hours later, especially when projects are shared across whānau, hapū, and iwi teams.

Suggested kete layout (per kaupapa)​

FolderPurpose
00_readmea short “how this kete works” note for others
01_sourceoriginal downloads (do not edit)
02_workingcleaned data, merged layers, processing outputs
03_projectsQGIS project files (.qgz) and templates
04_outputsPDFs, PNGs, exports for websites and reports
05_icons_stylesSVG icons, QGIS styles, label rules
06_metadatasources, dates, licences, data dictionaries, decisions
tip

Use one GeoPackage (.gpkg) in 02_working as your main working database for the kaupapa. It reduces file clutter and keeps layers together.

First time QGIS setup (10 minutes)​

1) Set your default coordinate reference system​

For most whenua scale work in Aotearoa, NZTM2000 is a solid default (EPSG:2193).

  • Project ▸ Properties ▸ CRS
  • Set to NZTM2000 / New Zealand Transverse Mercator 2000 (EPSG:2193)
  • Save the project

2) Turn on the panels you will use every day​

  • View ▸ Panels ▸ Layers
  • View ▸ Panels ▸ Browser
  • View ▸ Panels ▸ Processing Toolbox
  • View ▸ Toolbars ▸ Attributes, Label, Digitising, Advanced Digitising (as needed)

3) Save a simple project template​

Create a starter project once, then reuse it.

  • Project ▸ Save As…
  • Put it in 03_projects as something like kete_template.qgz
  • Add baseline layers and styles (next sections)

A practical first map workflow for Māori projects​

This is a reliable pattern for hui maps, reporting maps, and early scoping.

  1. Add a clean basemap (imagery or topo)
  2. Add reference context layers (roads, rivers, parcels where appropriate)
  3. Add your kaupapa layer (rohe boundary, project area, sites)
  4. Style for clarity and tikanga
  5. Export a PDF for hui and a PNG for slides

You can keep sensitive layers out of exports by switching them off before exporting, or by keeping them in a separate GeoPackage.

Getting data into QGIS​

QGIS reads most common GIS formats:

  • GeoPackage (.gpkg)
  • Shapefile (.shp)
  • GeoJSON (.geojson)
  • CSV with coordinates
  • KML/KMZ
  • Raster imagery (GeoTIFF and more)

Add local files​

  • Layer ▸ Add Layer ▸ Add Vector Layer (GeoPackage, Shapefile, GeoJSON)
  • Layer ▸ Add Layer ▸ Add Raster Layer (imagery, DEMs)
  • Layer ▸ Add Layer ▸ Add Delimited Text Layer (CSV)
tip

If you receive shapefiles, consider converting them into your working GeoPackage straight away. It keeps filenames and sidecar files under control.

LINZ Basemaps are a fast way to add high quality context. Vector tiles work well for topo style maps and scale smoothly.

Add LINZ vector tiles (topographic) in QGIS​

  1. Open Data Source Manager (Ctrl+L)
  2. Choose Vector Tiles
  3. New Generic Connection
  4. Name: LINZ Topographic
  5. URL example: https://basemaps.linz.govt.nz/v1/styles/topographic-v2.json?api={api_key}
  6. Add the connection, then double click it to add to your map

Coordinate systems to know​

CRSWhen to use
EPSG:2193 (NZTM2000)whenua scale work, measurement, analysis
EPSG:3857many web map contexts
EPSG:4326lat and long interchange, GPS exports

LINZ Data Importer plugin​

The LINZ Data Importer plugin helps you add web services and data into QGIS, including LINZ Data Service layers and LINZ Basemaps.

What it is useful for​

  • browsing layers from multiple agencies in one place (as supported by the plugin)
  • adding web services quickly without manual connection setup
  • creating a repeatable add core layers routine for each kaupapa

Basic use pattern​

  1. Plugins ▸ Manage and Install Plugins…
  2. Search LINZ Data Importer, install
  3. Open the plugin from the Plugins menu
  4. Sign in or add an API key when prompted
  5. Search for a dataset, then add it as WFS (vector) or WMTS (tiles), or download if available

Install plugins from Plugins ▸ Manage and Install Plugins.

PluginWhat it helps withMāori GIS examples
LINZ Data ImporterAccess agency web servicesadd parcels, hydro, topo layers for a rohe map
QuickMapServicesEasy basemap access and searchquick context basemaps during a hui or workshop
QuickOSMPull OpenStreetMap features into QGISbring in buildings, tracks, amenities for planning
qgis2webExport a QGIS map to a simple interactive web mapshare a lightweight map on a website or internal page
QGIS Resource SharingShare styles, symbols, scripts across a teamstandard icons for marae, awa, sites, monitoring points

Custom icons for marae, sites, and kaupapa markers (SVG)​

Custom icons make maps more readable for Māori audiences, especially when labels are busy or bilingual.

Best practice: store icons inside the kete​

  • Put SVG icons in 05_icons_styles/icons/
  • Share the whole kete folder with your team so the paths stay consistent

Add a shared SVG folder path​

  1. Settings ▸ Options ▸ System
  2. Add your kete icon folder to SVG paths
  3. Your icons will then appear in the symbol selector under SVG markers

Style Manager for consistent team symbology​

  • Settings ▸ Style Manager
  • Create a set of symbols (marae, wāhi tapu placeholder, monitoring point, boundary types)
  • Export a style package and store it in 05_icons_styles

Labels, place names, and bilingual maps​

QGIS labelling supports rules, scale based visibility, buffers, and expression driven content.

Practical tips:

  • show fewer labels than you think you need
  • use scale based visibility so labels appear only when zoomed in
  • for bilingual labels, store both fields (for example name_mi and name_en) and use an expression to choose what displays based on map purpose

For place names workflows, keep your tikanga decisions close to the dataset, inside 06_metadata.

Attributes you will use constantly​

The attribute table and Field Calculator​

Use it for:

  • cleaning names (trim spaces, standardise spelling)
  • building a single full address field for geocoding
  • creating categories for symbology and reporting
  • generating IDs for sites and observations

Expressions (quiet but powerful)​

Expressions are used across styling, labels, selections, and calculations.

Good beginner goals:

  • build a label like name_mi || ' / ' || name_en
  • select features where type = 'marae' AND status = 'active'
  • style categories driven by a field like kaupapa

Geocoding addresses (turning addresses into points)​

A practical approach:

  1. Prepare a layer with an address string field (CSV or table)
  2. Use a geocoding tool or plugin suited to your organisation’s rules and privacy needs
  3. Save the output into your working GeoPackage and check match quality

If addresses are sensitive, treat geocoded points as sensitive too.

Historical plans, old maps, and georeferencing​

Many Māori GIS projects need scanned plans, historic maps, or imagery aligned to today’s coordinate system. QGIS includes a Georeferencer tool for aligning rasters using control points.

A practical workflow:

  1. Scan or export the plan or map as a clear image
  2. Open Raster ▸ Georeferencer
  3. Set the target CRS (often EPSG:2193)
  4. Add control points using known intersections, corners, or mapped marks
  5. Run the transformation
  6. Save outputs into 02_working/rasters/

Once aligned, you can digitise features into a GeoPackage layer and attach kōrero in attributes.

Print Layout supports legends, scale bars, tables, images, multiple map frames, and export to PDF and image formats.

Hui map checklist​

  • clear title with the kaupapa and date
  • sources list (small text, bottom corner)
  • scale bar
  • a simple legend (only layers visible in the map)
  • a note about access and sensitivity if relevant

Atlas for one map per feature​

If you need a series of maps with the same template, use Atlas. It is a strong way to produce repeatable outputs for blocks, marae catchments, or monitoring zones.

Export and share without losing control​

Safer sharing defaults​

  • Share PDF or PNG for wide audiences
  • Share simplified GeoPackage extracts for partners who need data
  • Keep sensitive layers separate and access controlled

Simple web maps without a server​

The qgis2web plugin can export your project to a Leaflet or OpenLayers web map, which can be hosted as static files.

This is useful for:

  • embedding a simple map in a website
  • sharing an interactive view on an internal page
  • handing a zipped web map folder to a comms team

Field data collection with QGIS projects (offline capable)​

If your mahi includes site visits, monitoring points, photos, or inspections, consider QField.

A practical setup:

  1. Design a clean data entry layer in GeoPackage (sites, observations)
  2. Configure attribute forms in QGIS (drop downs, required fields)
  3. Package the project for field use
  4. Bring edits back into the kete and review

Example resource​

If you want a Māori focused walkthrough that combines practical mapping with storytelling, this StoryMap is a useful example: