LINZ cadastral parcels
LINZ maintains New Zealand's cadastre and publishes parcel datasets through the LINZ Data Service. Parcels are cadastral objects created for particular legal purposes. They are not simply generic property polygons.
NZ Parcels and NZ Primary Parcels
For ordinary land-context mapping, two common public datasets are NZ Parcels and NZ Primary Parcels. Check the current LDS metadata before choosing one because the broader parcels dataset can include parcel types that are not the fee-simple lot people expect from a property map.
A primary parcel generally defines an extent for a primary right or interest in land. Non-primary parcels can represent interests such as easements or covenants. Hydro parcels and other intents also occur in the cadastral system.
Official guidance:
In QGIS
For a small area, download a GeoPackage or other current LDS export. For a repeatable or nationwide workflow, use the LDS WFS/API and filter to the area/attributes you need.
Common tasks:
- overlay whenua or project sites
- connect survey/title references
- find legal-road context
- examine adjacency
- compare with addresses, buildings and imagery
- establish the present cadastral framework for historical research
Do not read occupation from the polygon
The visible fence, road edge, hedge or riverbank on an aerial image can differ from a legal cadastral boundary. If exact legal position matters, move from the GIS polygon into survey records and professional cadastral evidence.
Māori land
Do not use the parcel layer as a substitute for Māori Land Court blocks. Use Māori land data and compare sources explicitly.
Last reviewed: 26 August 2026