We’ve been working to improve the accessibility of our publicly available GIS data to enable covenantors and other partners to better understand, view, use and share relevant covenant information.

At the end of June, we will be launching our new QEII-protected areas map. This will show the extent of QEII covenants across Aotearoa New Zealand using public covenant boundary data. It will also include our QEII region boundaries, so you can easily find out what QEII region you are in and who your local regional representative is. It will be made very clear to users of the map that, in most cases, areas protected by QEII covenants are on private land with no public access.

Here is what we are planning:

Step 1: Make protected areas and region boundaries data available online

In order to create a public map, we need to first make the data available online. This location data is already publicly available and used by organisations such as councils and lines companies who need to know where these areas are, using their own mapping software. Up until now, this data has been made available as a downloadable file, updated quarterly.

Making the data available as an online service will be more efficient, both for QEII and our partners. It will also protect the integrity of our data, ensuring the most up-to-date data is being referenced consistently. Crucially, it will enable us to provide a public map service from our website.

This online data service is now available from a new QEII data portal, launched on 30 March 2026. You can visit the portal via the Publications and Resources section of our website: QEII National Trust Open Data

Step 2: Create a QEII-protected areas map and make it available on the QEII website

There has been a growing number of requests from our covenantors and the public to be able to view our protected areas on a map. Many covenantors want to be able to view their covenants in a landscape context. Those looking to buy new properties need to be aware of the location of covenants on the land. A public map of covenant locations is also an important tool to communicate with the public the significance of our growing network of QEII protected areas.

The QEII-protected areas map will show:

• The current boundaries of QEII protected areas, including their covenant reference number, the type of protection e.g., open space covenant, the date registered, and the survey area.
• QEII region boundaries, together with the name of the regional rep.
• LINZ property title boundaries, with associated title numbers, to help viewers to identify their properties.
• Importantly, no ownership information or any other private information will be shared. Only covenant information that is already publicly available will be shared on the map.

The QEII-protected areas map will be launched in June 2026.

Landowner privacy

We have been very careful to ensure landowner privacy is respected, by limiting the information that can be viewed on the public map:

• No ownership information or any other private information will be shared. Only covenant information that is already publicly available will appear on the map. The location of covenants is currently available to the public from LINZ through their online land record search and other data services.
• Users of the data are clearly informed that most areas protected by a QEII National Trust covenant are on private land with no public access. Information on sites that do have provisions for public access can be found on the Protected Places to Visit section of the QEII National Trust website.

Get in touch

If you have any questions or feedback for us about the new QEII-protected areas map, please contact us at gisadmin@qeii.org.nz.