Geospatial data

Geospatial, spatial or location-based data

Maps, aerial and satellite images, GIS (Geographic Information Systems) layers or files, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and some forms of tabular data, e.g., census statistics, are common types of geospatial data. In the broadest terms, geospatial data or information identifies a location on earth.

Image: StatsMaps, developed by Statistics NZ to support the release of 2013 census data.

What is geospatial data?  |  Library resources  |  New Zealand resources  | International resources  |  Internet search tips

What is geospatial data?

Also known as location-based or spatial data, geospatial data comes in a range of forms including maps, aerial and satellite images, GIS (Geographic Information Systems) layers or files, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and some forms of tabular data, e.g., census statistics. Regardless of the type, format, or purpose of the data or information, geospatial data always has a location or place in the real world.

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Library resources

• Library databases
  Search for geospatial to find all Library databases with significant amounts of this type of data.
  OR
  Refine a subject search by selecting Geospatial data as the Database type (far right of screen). E.g., search for planning, then refine by Geospatial data.
• Use the Catalogue to find datasets (CD-ROM), maps and aerial photographs in the University of Auckland Library’s notable collection.
• Visit the General Library Map Room for access to sheet maps (including, historic, geological, property, etc.) atlases and aerial photographs.

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New Zealand resources

• Local government
  • GIS viewers, map servers from regional councils:  Northland | Auckland | Waikato | Bay of Plenty | Taranaki | Wellington | Tasman | Nelson | Marlborough | West Coast | Canterbury | Southland
  • Regions without centralised online map services/GIS viewers; search regional council website and/or district council links: Manuwatu-Wanganui | Gisborne | Hawke's Bay | Otago | Chatham Islands
• DOC Maps and geospatial services
  These map and GIS resources may be complimented by the Department of Conservation website and their large amount of geospatial/GIS data not directly available to the public. Please contact the Curator Cartographic and Geospatial Resources to request additional data.
• GeoNet
  Official source of geological hazard information, brought to you by EQC and GNS Science.
• LRIS Portal, Landcare Research
  Download environment data held specifically by Landcare Research for use in GIS and other applications.
• Statistics New Zealand
  A number of tools and services, including InfoShare, QuickStats about a place, and StatsMaps that support the use of census and other datasets.
• Wiki New Zealand
  Collaborative making New Zealand data visually accessible, themes include society, economy and environment, etc. Data is displayed as graphs, maps or infographics with links to the original data.

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International resources

Many online GIS, notably ArcGIS Online and Google Earth, have significant data resources/GIS layers/base maps available within the application.

• Austrialian Spatial Data Directory
• Food and Agriculture Organisation, United Nations - GeoNetwork
• GeoCommons
• GeoPlatform
• Geoscience Australia
• One Geology
• US Geological Survey
• WeoGeo
• World Health Organization, UN - GeoNetwork

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Internet search tips

• Include geospatial, GIS, map(s) with your location and/or subject search.
  For example, type Marshall Islands sea level change GIS into your search box and your results will include the SOPAC GeoNetwork.
• Which web browser works best for geospatial resources and apps? For optimal results we recommend Google Chrome or Firefox.
• Knowledge of different projections and coordinate systems may help in finding and using geospatial data to best meet your needs.

Significant national, regional, international or subject-based sources of geospatial data are available. Your Subject Librarian or the Curator Cartographic and Geospatial Resources may assist you.

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Image: 1940 and 2008 aerials side by side, Auckland Council GIS Viewer.

About imagery  |  New Zealand resources  |  International resources

About imagery

Satellite, including Landsat, and aerial photographs are collectively known as 'imagery'.

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New Zealand resources

• Auckland Council GIS Viewer
  Open Map Contents: select Aerial Photos to view current imagery as basemap; select More data to add and view historic (Raster) aerial layers - 1940, 1959, 1996, 2001, 2006 to current. Only current aerial imagery is available for download through this facility.
• GeoDataHub
  • Aerial imagery - regional (historic and current Auckland, Waikato)
  • KiwImage (pansharpened) - 2008-2012 satellite imagery of approximately 74% of New Zealand and Offshore Islands, tiled to NZTopo50 sheets. See KiwImage coverage.
  • NZ Aerial Mapping (Piha, Waihiki, plus)
• LINZ Data Service - Aerial photos
  Current and some older aerial photographs are available by region. Search by location or Browse Data by Category - Aerial Photos; add (+) to preview, crop and download. For further information, go to Getting started.

For help with these resources or finding additional imagery, contact the Curator Cartographic and Geospatial Resources.

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International resources

• ArcGIS Gallery - Imagery
• EarthExplorer, USGS
• Landsat, USGS
  40+ years of continuously acquired collection of space-based moderate-resolution land remote sensing data. Provides a unique resource for those who work in agriculture, emergency response, geology, forestry, regional planning, education, mapping, global change research.

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Image: ArcGIS Online, a user-friendly GIS or web mapping tool.

About GIS  |  GIS at the University of Auckland  |  GIS on the web  |  International inspiration  |  Map making without GIS

About Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• What is GIS?
• GIS Glossaries
• GIS books and journals
• GIS journal articles

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GIS at the University of Auckland

GIS are used widely across the University of Auckland, notably within the Schools and Departments of Environment, Architecture and Planning, Anthropology, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Property, Population Health and Biological Sciences and by individuals in further areas.

GIS and GIScience, the study of GIS, is taught in the School of Environment.

ArcGIS for desktop

• ​​Available in the General Library Map Room, the Information Commons facilities and in specific computer labs. ArcGIS enables sophisticated analysis, layering of geospatial data and production of maps. It supports a number of file types, primarily Shapefiles or .shp files.
• A student license edition is available.
• Learn ArcGIS for desktop by attending specific University courses, e.g., GEOG 210, or by participating in online tutorials:
  • Getting started with GIS (for ArcGIS 10)
  • Free online course for beginners from ArcGIS vendors ESRI; presentations and interactive exercises.
  • ESRI training for subscribers
    Available to staff and students of the University of Auckland only. Identify required course(s), request relevant courses access codes from Graeme Glen, go to the training website, create a training account and use the codes supplied to access the relevant courses.

ArcGIS Online 

• The University of Auckland ArcGIS Online portal is available to University staff and students, please contact the Curator, Cartographic and Geospatial Resources for access. The public version of ArcGIS Online requires registration.
• ArcGIS Online is a more user-friendly GIS than ArcGIS for desktop and enables map creation, some analysis, sharing and access to data and resources. It supports a number of file types, primarily Shapefiles or .shp files.
  • ArcGIS Online Tutorials - a series short online tutorials available via YouTube.​

Story Maps, which utilises ArcGIS Online, offers a Gallery of story map apps, examples and step-by-step templates to create your own web map.

• How to make a Story Map in ArcGIS Online, YouTube presentation/demonstration.

Google Earth

• Google Earth is a free online GIS that has been downloaded for use in the Information Commons facilities, the Map Room in the General Library and specific computer labs. A user-friendly GIS better suited to more straightforward functions and the inexperienced GIS user than ArcGIS for desktop. It supports .kml files.

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GIS on the web

In addition to Google Earth and ArcGIS Online several open source and/or free GIS software options are available, including those more suitable for inexperienced GIS users. Online GIS have increasing amounts of data, e.g., base maps and GIS layers, available for use within the application.

• ArcGIS Explorer Online
• DIVA-GIS (Available at the Tāmaki Library and Information Commons)
• GeoCommons
• GeoExplorer
• GRASS
• IndieMapper
• MapBox
• QGIS, previously Quantum GIS.
• Storytelling with Maps, gallery of web maps produced using ESRI tools, includes templates and instructions.
• TileMill, a MapBox project.
• uDIG

List of GIS software

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International inspiration

• Axis Maps
• FOSS4G (2013) Map Gallery
• Geographx
• UX Blog, IDV Solutions
• International Mapping
• New York Times
• Red Geographics
• Shaded Relief
• Stamen

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Map making without GIS

Tools used to make maps and geovisualisations that are not GIS:

• Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
  Available in the Information Commons facilities.
• Autodesk 3D MAX
• Google Fusion Tables
• R Statistical Package 3
  Available in the Information Commons facilities. Search Google for 'making maps with R' for advice.

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Geospatial resource referencing

• How to Reference Geospatial Data, Maps, Atlases, Air photos
  Brock University Map, Data and GIS Library.
• Citing Maps
  Western, Washington University. This referencing aid is less comprehensive but has specific APA examples.

Support

• Referencing
  Access a range of tools and support materials to assist your referencing work.

Examples

• Quickcite
  Use this interactive tool to view examples of references.
  Covers a range of styles used at the University of Auckland.