LINZ aerial imagery
Toitū Te Whenua LINZ works with councils and other public-sector partners to publish New Zealand aerial imagery as open data. It is the best default source when you need recent, georeferenced public aerial photography for GIS.
Three access routes
LINZ Data Service
Use data.linz.govt.nz when you want a named regional survey, its metadata, tile index or downloadable raster. The NZ Imagery Survey Index is especially useful because it records survey extent and capture information across the catalogue.
LINZ Basemaps
Use basemaps.linz.govt.nz when you mainly need the latest imagery as a fast basemap. The national mosaic dynamically combines the best/current imagery with satellite coverage where high-resolution photography is unavailable.
AWS Open Data
Use the New Zealand Imagery collection in the Registry of Open Data for bulk/cloud workflows. LINZ stores imagery as Cloud Optimised GeoTIFFs, which are efficient for HTTP/cloud access because software can read only the raster portions it needs.
Coverage and resolution
LINZ states that public aerial imagery covers about 95% of Aotearoa. Broad typical ground sample distances are:
- rural: 20–30 cm
- urban: 5–20 cm
- targeted satellite projects: 50–100 cm
- annual Sentinel-2 mosaics: 10 m for full national coverage
Check the individual survey metadata for the actual resolution and capture date.
Find the date before interpreting change
A basemap can stitch surveys from different years. If you are measuring development, erosion or vegetation change, identify the exact source survey for the area rather than writing LINZ imagery 2026 because that is when you opened it.
Attribution
LINZ does not necessarily own copyright in every aerial survey. Use the attribution specified for the dataset. LINZ provides a dedicated imagery and elevation attribution guide.
Official sources:
Last reviewed: 26 August 2026