New Zealand Flood Map

We are developing New Zealand’s Flood Map to provide a trusted source of flood risk information for the whole country.

The New Zealand Flood Map will unify the best available local, regional and national-scale data, so everyone can access information to help them make informed decisions.

The New Zealand Flood Map is one of the key actions under the Government’s wider National Adaptation Framework.

• Show where flooding from rivers, heavy rain, or the sea is likely to happen now and in the future. 
• Show where and how climate change may increase flood risk over time.
• Provide trusted information to underpin council adaptation planning, land use and development, infrastructure investment, and emergency responses.
• Provide homeowners, buyers and sellers access to flood risk information relevant to them.
• Identify gaps in existing data, so new information can be prioritised and developed over time.

Despite floods being a leading hazard in terms of loss, currently, information about flood risk is fragmented across the country. Councils and other organisations use different models, methods, and maps.

In some places we have very good regional or local maps. In other places, this information is lacking.

No current publicly-available map combines high-quality, detailed local or regional flood information with national data to build a unified and consistent view.

The first-generation map will bring together the best available data and mapping from local government, public research organisations and central government.

Local and regional data will be carefully checked and integrated with national-scale information.

The first map is expected to be published in early 2027, with early access to some data and mapping expected by the end of 2026.

The map will be improved and expanded on over time, as new science, data and technology become available. Where there are gaps or uncertainties, these will be clearly shown to identify where future improvements are needed.