This section shows how likely it is that a block can be accessed by track or road. It's based on the distance between the whenua and a known track or road, but it doesn't take into account things like rivers, cliffs, or informal tracks across private land.

If there is no reasonable access to a block it is considered landlocked. The Māori Land Court can help resolve access issues — for example by creating an easement, which is a right to cross another person's land.

Next steps

Find out more about legal access to Māori land

Contact the Māori Land Court about resolving an access issue

Title improvement [PDF 385KB]

Transport links are important for getting products to local and overseas markets. If a block is a long way from railway stations, ports, or airports it can be more costly to transport and export products. This section shows the approximate distance in a straight-line from the whenua to important transport infrastructure.

Distance isn't the only important factor for selling or exporting products. Some industries have special requirements for licensing, processing, handling, and exporting that you should be familiar with.

Next steps

Find out if you are ready to start exporting

Find out more about exporting in the primary sector

Find out more about the legal requirements for exporting

Get export help from the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Māori Business team

Understanding your climate helps you know what you can and can't do on your whenua. It affects everything from crop growing conditions to tourism. It can also affect costs.

The climate information on this page is based on averages for the region. The local climate on the block might be different so you should always check this out before making big decisions about the whenua.

New Zealand's climate is expected to change a lot over the next few decades. It is hard to know how climate change will affect land use but it needs to be part of your whenua decision-making.

Next steps

Find out more about climate change

See the latest climate change research and news

Find out more about how climate change could affect primary industries

Adapting to Climate Change: A guide for farmers [PDF 802KB]

Find out more about greenhouse gas emissions from farming

Air temperature influences what grows and how well. It affects soil chemistry and biology, plant reproduction, how fast water evaporates, and what tourists will need to wear.

Each plant species has different optimal temperature limits. These can be different for different parts of the plant and at different times of the year.

Next steps

Search the land use fact sheets to find optimal climates

Growing Degree Days (GDDs) measure the amount of heat available for plant and insect growth. GDDs are worked out by adding up the total number of degrees each day is above a certain temperature across a growing season. This threshold is different for each crop but we have used 10ºC because it is a useful indicator for pasture growth.

Higher GDDs combined with other favourable growing conditions usually means plants and insects will grow faster.

Next steps

Find out more about Growing Degree Days

Find out Growing Degree Day requirements for different crops

Frost is a thin layer of ice that forms when water vapour settles on a surface that is below freezing. A frost day is when the minimum temperature is below 0ºC.

Frost affects plants in different ways. Some plants — like vines, tomatoes, and potatoes — can be damaged or killed by even a light frost. Others — like root vegetables and leafy greens — are less affected  and may even benefit from it.

Next steps

Find out more about frost days

Find out which crops might be suitable for the block

The sun provides energy in the form of heat and light. Plants use this energy to grow and reproduce. It also increases evaporation which dries out soil, and transpiration, which dries out plants.

The amount of sun your whenua receives affects how fast your plants grow and how much they produce. The timing is also important for certain chemical processes — like ripening.

Rainfall is the main source of water in soil. Water is critical for plant growth.

Plants draw water from the soil and use it for:

• cell growth
• maintaining temperature, and
• transporting sugars and nutrients.

The timing and volume of rainfall is also important for certain chemical processes. Too much rainfall can cause soils to become too wet to sustain livestock or crops.

Rainfall isn't the only way of getting water to plants. The right irrigation can turn areas that are too dry into productive land.

Next steps

Find out more about rainfall in New Zealand

Wind affects plants in many ways. At low speeds wind helps young plants grow stronger. At high speeds wind dries plants out faster, reduces leaf exposure to the sun, and can tear off blossoms or damage stalks.

Wind also tends to increase cold. Cold can delay plant growth and maturity. It can also cause stress for animals and increase feed requirements.

One way to reduce wind effects on crops and animals is to plant a windbreak. The best windbreak trees have dense branches and rough bark. Windbreaks can also channel breezes to cool plants in summer.

Next steps

Find out more about choosing the right trees for sheltering crops

Find out more about shelter requirements for farm animals

Surface water means water in lakes, wetlands, rivers, and streams. Surface water may be useful for irrigation but may also increase the costs of developing or farming the whenua.

This section estimates the river catchments the block is in and the total length of streams and rivers on the block.

The presence of water on the block does not always mean it is okay to take water. Water resources are managed on a catchment basis by regional councils who may limit or prevent access.

This data is based on experimental river data from LINZ and Ministry for the Environment. You should always check things out on the ground and with your council before making big decisions.

Next steps

Find your regional council website for information about water rules in your rohe

Find out more about good farming practice for looking after river catchments

Explore New Zealand river catchment data

Search for funding opportunities for water-quality projects

A riparian zone is the area where land meets a lake, wetland, river, or stream. It has an important influence on the health of soil, water, animals, and plants.

There may be special requirements for fencing or planting riparian zones in your rohe. Sometimes there is funding available for riparian zone projects.

Next steps

Find out more about waterway management

Find your regional council website for information about water rules in your rohe

Use the Dairy NZ riparian planning tool

Search for funding for riparian planting

Groundwater is water that comes from the ground, usually from an aquifer. An aquifer is an underground layer of rock or sediment from which water can be extracted — by drilling a bore for example. Groundwater is used for irrigation, animals, and drinking, especially in places where rivers and streams have lower summer flows.

This section estimates the likelihood of being able to access an aquifer from the whenua and the name of the most likely aquifer (if known).

The presence of an aquifer does not always mean it is okay to take water. Aquifers and bores are managed by regional councils who may limit or prevent access.

Next steps

Find your regional council website

Explore GNS Science groundwater maps and data

Irrigation means applying water to plants in a controlled way. It is used to address water shortages, prevent frosts, and reduce weed growth. Good irrigation can turn unproductive land into productive land.

Irrigation can be costly and it is hard to estimate whether it is worth it. You should always talk to an expert before making irrigation decisions for the whenua.

Next steps

Find resources and guides about irrigation

Search for funding for irrigation projects

Land cover means the things that are on the land — like plants, rivers, and roads. It can affect a range of things including erosion, nutrient loss, and biodiversity.

Land cover is not the same as land use. Land use is how people use the land — like farming or forestry. Land use can influence land cover but one type of land cover might have many different uses.

Estimated land cover (hectares)

Map and data: LCDB v 5.0, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research.

This information comes from the New Zealand Land Cover Database (LCDB) v 5.0. It is created from satellite imagery from 2018 / 2019 so the land cover might be different now.

The LCDB is a good indicator of what's in the area but it's not intended to be accurate for individual properties. You should always check things out on the ground before making big decisions.

Land use means the different ways that people use the land. It can be used to understand trends and as an indication of what might be possible in a rohe. Land use is not the same as land cover. Land use is how people use the land — like farming or forestry. Land use can influence land cover but one type of land cover might have many different uses.

This information comes from the Ministry for the Environment's Land-use and Carbon Analysis System (LUCAS). LUCAS was created to meet New Zealand's reporting obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. It is intended as a way to track land use change over time.

Next steps

Find out more about the drivers of and barriers to land use change

Slope means how flat or steep the whenua is on average. It affects soil quality, erosion potential, air flow, and costs.

There is a strong relationship between slope and land use. Flat land tends to be more productive for horticulture. Steep land tends to be used for livestock and forestry.

Slope (ha)

Map and data: NZLRI Slope Data reproduced with the permission of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited.

Slope should be treated as a limitation when you are making decisions about the whenua. Hills make it harder to use vehicles or harvest crops, for example.

Next steps

Find out more about how slope affects erosion

Trees for the farm - A decision support tool for farmers [PDF 823KB]

Find out about best-practice for irrigation on hills

Explore and download NZ Land Resource Inventory slope data

Explore and download Land Environments of New Zealand slope data

Erosion is what happens when soil moves from one place to another. It is influenced by slope, rainfall, and soil type and can have a major impact on land productivity and costs.

Different parts of the block have different levels of erosion. This section estimates the likely worst erosion on the block.

Erosion control practices depend on the whenua, the climate, and the type of land use.

You should always contact an expert before making big decisions about the whenua. Your local and regional council may have special rules about erosion in your area.

Next steps

Find out more about erosion

Find your local or regional council website

Erosion and climate change [PDF  719KB]

Search for funding opportunities for erosion projects

Aspect means the direction a slope faces. It affects the amount of sun and wind the whenua gets, which in turn affects soil moisture.

Northerly aspects are better for growing and supporting animals because they get more sun. On the other hand they can also be more likely to erode and slip.

Next steps

Find out more about how slope and aspect was important for the location of māra kūmara (kūmara gardens)

Explore and download simplified North/South aspect data for assessing livestock carrying capacity

Soil provides place and sustenance for plants, animals, and people. It is critical to agricultural development and our environment. 

The information in this section can help to start the conversation about soil, but it is not the whole story. You should always check out the situation on the ground and talk to experts before making big decisions about the whenua.

Soil classification (ha)

Maps and data: FSL NZSC Data reproduced with the permission of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited.

The following tabs describe many important attributes of the soil. Understanding your soil means understanding all of these attributes and how they interact. You can then start to make plan for your whenua.

Next steps

Find out more about soil

Find out more about soil and agriculture in New Zealand

Get more detailed soil information and reports from S-map Online (free sign-up required)

Drainage is essential for removing excess water from the whenua. Good drainage prevents waterlogging and allows air to reach plant roots. It also influences how fast contaminants like dairy effluent leak into the surrounding environment.

Soil drainage classification (ha)

FSL Soil Drainage Class Data reproduced with the permission of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited.

All of the information on this page is connected and related. For example soil permeability is a major factor in soil drainage classification. The data is accurate to a rohe level so you should always check out the situation on the whenua before making big decisions.

Next steps

View the FSL Soil Drainage Parameters data and maps

Explore or download the FSL Soil Drainage Class dataset

Get more detailed soil information and reports from S-map Online (free sign-up required)

Permeability means how quickly water can move through soil. It is important for plant survival and growth. The more permeable the soil is, the more water is lost to the environment.

Soil permeability (ha)

FSL Soil Permeability Data reproduced with the permission of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited.

You should read this information together with other soil measures, especially soil texture and drainage. For example, if the soil has larger particles it will likely be more permeable.

Next steps

View the FSL Soil Drainage Parameters data and maps

Explore or download the FSL Soil Permeability dataset

Get more detailed soil information and reports from S-map Online (free sign-up required)

Soil water capacity (or plant available water) means how much water the soil can hold for plants to be able to use. It can be a useful indicator of whether the soil will be able to sustain plants through droughts.

Soil water capacity (ha)

FSL Soil Water Capacity Data reproduced with the permission of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited.

You should read this information together with other soil measures. For example, if the soil has a high rooting depth then plants may be able to access more of the available water.

Next steps

View the FSL Soil Drainage Parameters data and maps

Get more detailed soil information and reports from S-map Online (free sign-up required)

Potential rooting depth means how far into the soil plant roots can go to get water. Roots can be stopped by water, toxic soil, or physical barriers like rocks. Plants with deeper roots can survive better through droughts and storms.

Potential rooting depth (ha)

FSL Potential Rooting Depth Data reproduced with the permission of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited.

You should read this information together with other soil measures. For example, if the soil has a high rooting depth then plants may be able to access more of the available water.

Next steps

View the FSL Soil Drainage Parameters data and maps

Explore or download the FSL Potential Rooting Depth dataset

Get more detailed soil information and reports from S-map Online (free sign-up required)

Soil is made up of lots of different-sized particles of sand, silt, clay, and organic material. Soil texture is a way of describing different combinations of these particles.

Soil texture affects drainage, water retention, root growth, and how easy the soil is to work with. Sand particles are larger and create more space in the soil for drainage and air flow. Clay particles are smaller and stickier, but have electric charges that attract nutrients.

The best soils for growing are loams, which are about 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay. Loams hold on to water and nutrients but also also let excess water drain away.

Soil texture (ha)

FSL Topsoil Gravel Content Data reproduced with the permission of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited.

You don't need any special tools to assess the soil texture on your whenua. For some tests all you need is a shovel, a glass jar, and some water. Once you've assessed your soil you'll have a better idea of what will grow or what treatments you might need.

It isn't the end of the world if your soil is too sandy or clayey. You can treat sandy soil with organic matter — like maize stubble — and vegetation cover. You can treat clayey soil with organic matter and lime.

It may take a few years but with good management you can still make productive use of non-ideal soil.

Next steps

Find out how to measure your own soil structure and texture

Use a tool to assess the soil quality of your samples

View the FSL Soil Physical Characteristics data and maps

Download Manaaki Whenua soil assessment field guides

Rocks can make it harder to work the whenua because they block vehicles and equipment. You may need to remove them completely for roads, irrigation, or buildings. This can increase costs.

Rock outcrops and surface boulders (ha)

FSL Rock Outcrops and Surface Boulders data reproduced with the permission of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited.

Next steps

See rock outcrops and surface boulder data on a map

View the FSL Soil Physical Characteristics data and maps

Search for funding for whenua improvement projects

Map and data: FSL Data reproduced with the permission of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited.

Most of New Zealand's soils are missing important nutrients because of the way we've used land in the past. The most important nutrients are:

- Nitrogen

- Phosphorous

- Potassium, and

- Sulphur.

If you understand the state of the soil on your whenua you can make better decisions about how to treat it — with fertiliser for example.

Next steps

Find and download soil fertility booklets for different types of land use

Find a certified Nutrient Management Adviser

Acidity affects how easy it is for plants to get nutrients from the soil. It is described using a measure called pH.

Soil with low pH is acidic; soil with high pH is alkaline. Most plants prefer soil with neutral pH (between 6.2 - 7.0) but some plants — like blueberries — prefer acidic soil.

Acidity (ha)

Maps and data: FSL pH Data reproduced with the permission of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited.

You can use lime to correct acidic soil, and organic matter for alkaline soil. Soil will also naturally return to neutral pH with rainfall and time.

Next steps

Search the land use factsheets to find out soil requirements for different crops

View and download the FSL pH dataset

Phosphorous is an element that is essential to plant and animal growth. In nature, phosphorous occurs as phosphate minerals.

Phosphate retention is a measure of how well soil absorbs and holds onto phosphates. Soils with low phosphate retention tend to leach and may require topping up with fertiliser. Soils with high phosphate retention however can prevent plants from accessing phosphates.

Phosphate retention (ha)

The map above shows the Land Use Capability (LUC) Classification for the rohe your block is in. The LUC combines a range of different information about the whenua, including:

• Rock and soil type
• Slope and erosion
• Land cover and vegetation
• Land use, and
• Climate.

Putting all these together gives an estimate of how well the whenua can support agriculture.

It's important to remember that this data only describes the whenua as it was when the information was collected. It doesn't take into account things you can do to improve it — like irrigation or fertiliser.

Map and data: NZLRI LUC Data reproduced with the permission of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited.

Even if your whenua has limitations there might be other options. You might be able to deal with soil issues by applying lime or fertiliser, for example.

You can see land use fact sheets for your region below.

Next steps

Search for other land use fact sheets

Find out more about planning for future change

See videos and read case studies about Māori land owners who changed their land use

Developing a papakāinga on your whenua can be a way to help whānau with quality affordable housing and to provide ongoing accommodation and/or revenue for future generations.

Setting up a papakāinga can be a long process, but there's help available as you work through it. 

Papakāinga also reflect a whānau support system — the kāinga are more than physical structures. They provide opportunities for whānau to strengthen connections between generations, reinforce cultural and spiritual identities, and revitalise Te Reo Māori.

However, barriers like planning restrictions, lack of infrastructure and getting consent from multiple owners can make development a long and sometimes difficult process.

For some landowners it can be a multi-generational venture, so it's good to involve rangatahi in the process too.

Funding help

Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Housing Network supports individuals, whānau, hapū, iwi and rōpū with information, advice and practical support to improve and develop whānau housing.

The Kāinga Whenua Programme provides loans to whenua Māori trusts and individuals with a right to occupy their multiple-owned Māori land.

There is also papakāinga funding and advice available from a range of sources — like local councils.

Next steps

Find out more about papakāinga

Find out more about the Māori Housing Network

Find out more about the Kāinga Whenua Programme

Search for papakāinga funding opportunities

A Guide to Papakāinga Housing [PDF 12MB]

Once you have an idea you'll need a business plan and pūtea to make it happen. There are four main ways of funding land projects:

• Within the whānau or with your trust or incorporation's cash reserves
• A loan from a lending institution — like a bank or building society
• External investment or partnership, or
• Government grants or funding.

Some funding sources will also help your whānau with feasibility studies.

Next steps

Find out more about developing a business plan

Find out more about preparing a funding or investment application

Search for funding opportunities

Map and data: Potential Vegetation of NZ Data reproduced with the permission of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited.

The map above uses variables like climate, soil, and slope to predict the type of indigenous forest that will thrive in the rohe. 

Deciding to retire whenua and regenerate indigenous forest is a big decision for whānau. Regeneration projects can be complex and you might need to seek advice from other agencies or forestry experts. 

Next steps

Find out more about indigenous forestry in New Zealand

Search for forestry funding opportunities

Note that people can record that they identify as multiple ethnicities in the census.

Find out more about Māori freehold land

Search Māori Land Court records

Another land-use option for the whenua is tourism. This is a broad category and could include anything from accommodation and food services to whale watching.

The graphs below show trends in your region for visitors and spending. A common pattern in many regions is that most visitor spending is on peripheral activities like transport, hospitality, and accommodation.

Next steps

Find contact details for your local Regional Tourism Organisation

Add your tourism offering to the 100% New Zealand Tourism Database

Check out the Māori Tourism marketing toolkit

Try the Tourism NZ visitor profile tool to see which market best matches your tourism offering

Explore and download New Zealand tourism data

Search for funding opportunities