Up-to-date and accurate information on the state and location of important marine habitats, such as rocky reefs is critical for effective environmental decision-making. The main dataset of spatial locations of rocky reefs within the New Zealand territorial sea was developed in 2011 by the Department of Conservation and Ministry of Fisheries (now Ministry for Primary Industries). This study mapped coastal marine habitats at a broad scale, with rocky reefs derived from LINZ nautical charts and a limited coverage of field surveys. This data layer is unlikely to capture all areas of rocky reef and may be inaccurate in places.
In 2024 the Ministry for the Environment contracted SLR Consulting to scope how best to update the rocky reef data layer.
The scoping report includes:
- an analysis of the quality and quantity of some of the more recently available data
- an analysis of the gaps identified in that data
- a needs-analysis from key stakeholders so that any new rocky reef data layer can be designed to enable effective environmental decision-making in the marine environment
- recommendations for phase 2, a potential update to the rocky reef data layer.