Official height standard NZVD2016
Adopting official height standard NZVD2016
Council will adopt the official height standard for New Zealand called Vertical Datum 2016 (NZVD2016) from 1 July 2024.
Official Central Otago height measurements
In surveying terminology, a 'vertical datum' is a collection of specific points on the Earth with the exact known heights, either above or below sea level.
We currently use a local 'vertical datum' called Dunedin 1958. A new dataset called NZVD2016 was introduced in 2016 by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ).
Adopting the new standard
By using the new height standard, we are ensuring Central Otago projects now match other examples from around the country.
The new standard also makes it easier to exchange height information used in:
- geographic products (for example, elevation datasets)
- infrastructure
- planning
- consents.
Changes with geospatial data collections
Our geospatial datasets containing height attributes (for example, asset stormwater datasets) will be updated to NZVD2016 values and made available from 2 July 2024.
Height data for current and future projects
If you supply information to us containing geographical height data, the following rules apply:
- Ongoing projects or projects starting before 1 July 2024 need to be submitted using the Dunedin 1958 standard (unless specified otherwise in the council contract).
- Projects starting after 1 July 2024 need to be submitted using NZVD2016.
- Stick to one height standard per project to avoid confusion.
- Note the height standard used in your project documents.
We can make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
Email gis@codc.govt.nz for help and advice on using the NZVD2016 height standard.
