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Cartography and map communication

A useful map should make the kaupapa easier to see. Good cartography is mostly deciding what deserves attention and what can get out of the way.

Start with the sentence​

Before styling the map, finish this sentence:

This map helps people see ...

If the answer is unclear, adding more layers will not solve it.

Build a visual hierarchy​

A practical order is:

  1. the main whenua, awa, site or issue
  2. labels needed to understand it
  3. supporting context
  4. basemap and background

If the aerial photograph is the strongest visual element on a map about an awa restoration project, reduce its contrast or opacity.

Ingoa wāhi​

Use macrons and spelling carefully. Where more than one name is relevant, the map can hold more than one field rather than forcing a single permanent NAME value.

Useful fields can include:

  • local name
  • official name
  • historical wording
  • source
  • date or period
  • notes

See Place names and Who gets to name a place?.

Label awa like awa​

Long waterways often read better when labels follow the line rather than appearing as repeated horizontal labels. Reduce competing road and locality labels when they are not part of the kaupapa.

A catchment map may need tributary names. A restoration-site map may need only the awa name and project reaches.

Boundaries are not all the same​

Use line style to communicate what a boundary means.

  • cadastral parcel: precise administrative/legal geometry
  • project area: operational extent
  • approximate historical area: softer or dashed treatment
  • overlapping relationships: overlapping or separately styled representations
  • uncertain interpretation: make the uncertainty visible

See Mana whenua and rohe without hard boundaries.

Imagery and hillshade​

Imagery is excellent for orientation but can overpower labels and thematic layers. Desaturate, fade or mask it when necessary. Hillshade can explain landform without turning the page into a dark relief poster.

The map should still work when printed on an ordinary office printer.

A4 and A3​

For A4, keep the story tight. A3 gives room for a larger map, inset or explanatory notes but still benefits from restraint.

A practical layout normally needs:

  • clear title
  • map
  • legend only for symbols that need explaining
  • scale bar where distance matters
  • source/date note
  • short limitation or context note where useful

A north arrow is useful when orientation is not obvious. It is not compulsory decoration.

Maps for hui​

A hui map should create room for kōrero. Leave enough white space for annotation when printed. Consider producing a simple base version specifically for drawing on rather than using the same polished report map for every purpose.

See Maps for hui and wānanga.

Accessibility​

Do not rely on colour alone to distinguish critical classes. Use labels, patterns, line styles or symbols where needed. Check contrast and test the exported PDF or image at the size people will actually view it.

Last reviewed: 26 August 2026

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