About Coastal Explorer
Coastal Explorer is a GIS-based web-accessed classification and database for the New Zealand coast. It allows the user to display selected layers of coastal spatial information on a map of New Zealand. It provides information to end users in the form of maps, data, and images, which show where various physical environments occur along the coast, descriptions of how they function and their associated hazards. Importantly the information is nationally consistent and reveals ‘blanks on the map’ where more information is needed.
The Coastal Explorer currently has four directories: 1) Coastal type, 2) Beach type, 3) Monitoring sites, and 4) Estuary type.
Coastal type displays beach exposure, foreshore sediment type, hinterland characteristics and coastal landform type around the New Zealand coast. Addtional map layers show bathymetry, and territorial and regional authority boundries. Go to NZ coastal classification to find out how this information was complied and mapped.
Beach type displays report cards for beaches that describe the beach type and provide a beach hazard safety rating. The beach type classification is based on the Wright Short model that classifys beaches on the basis of wave, tide, beach morphology and sediment characteristics. Go to NZ beach type classification to find out how this information was complied.
Monitoring sites displays locations and length of record, for beach profiles that are monitored by various organisations. Go to NZ beach profile monitoring to find out more information about beach profile monitoring. This database is still under development.
Estuary type provides key statistics and a classification for estuaries displayed as report cards. Go to NZ estuarine environment classification to find out how this information was complied.
Data for Coastal Explorer has been mined from various sources including 1:50,000 topographic maps, aerial photographs, RNZN hydrographic charts, and various publications and reports, New Zealand Land Resources Inventory (NZLRI), the National Land Cover Data Base (LCDB) and the Estuarine Environment Classification database. Site visits were made to many beaches by helicopter and vehicle to obtain information that could not be collected remotely. Parts of the coast were flown in a light aircraft to obtain oblique aerial photographs. There have also been generous inputs from regional council staff and local experts, university staff and consultants to obtain local and regional information to supplement the database.
Currently only open coast unconsolidated shores and beaches along with summary statistics for estuaries are included in Coastal Explorer. However, the ultimate aim is to include the entire New Zealand coastline incorporating estuaries, rocky shores, cliffed coasts and other coastal forms.
The Coastal Explorer is continually under development and we welcome questions, queries and feedback.