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Taiao

Taiao data supports understanding of environmental systems connected to whenua. This includes land, water, ecosystems, and change over time.

For many Māori organisations, taiao mapping supports kaitiakitanga and long term stewardship.

Common taiao datasets​

Examples include:

  • Rivers, lakes, and catchments
  • Coastlines and marine areas
  • Vegetation and land cover
  • Monitoring sites
  • Flood, erosion, or hazard layers

These datasets usually come from councils, government agencies, or research providers.

Scale and accuracy​

Environmental data is created at different scales.

Be careful not to:

  • Use regional data for site level decisions
  • Treat modelled data as exact
  • Ignore uncertainty or assumptions

Understanding scale helps avoid misinterpretation.

Suggested basic schema for taiao layers​

A simple structure may include:

  • Feature name
  • Feature type
  • Source organisation
  • Data date
  • Notes or confidence field

This supports later interpretation and reuse.

Supporting kōrero​

Taiao maps are often used to:

  • Explain environmental context
  • Support planning or funding applications
  • Track change over time
  • Communicate risks or constraints

Keep maps clear and focused.

Mātauranga considerations​

Not all knowledge fits neatly into datasets.

Be cautious about:

  • Reducing mātauranga to points or polygons
  • Sharing information without context
  • Mixing public data with culturally specific knowledge

GIS should support kōrero, not flatten it.

Useful sources​

Common sources include:

  • Regional council data portals
  • Ministry for the Environment
  • NIWA and research providers

Check update dates and intended use.