NZVD2016 is New Zealand’s official height system. It allows for the consistent collection and seamless exchange of heights across New Zealand. Heights used in GIS, infrastructure, planning, consents and works can now be nationally standardised.
A number of legislations reference archaic level definitions as the legal basis for determining the natural boundary of Lake Taupo. Implications include:
ML 22226 (1993) defines the boundary of Taupo-Nui-A-Tia Block (the natural boundary of the lake bed) as:
“… the 357.015m contour, Moturiki Datum. (The same as 358.378m contour, Taupo Datum).”
[Image source: ML 22226]
“For the purposes of any ordinary claim or any special claim, the level of Lake Taupo shall be determined by reference to the Taupo fundamental benchmark [LINZ GDB code 2217] ...
... which benchmark in the 1956 survey represented a height of 363.269 metres above mean sea level Moturiki datum.”
[Extract, Section 2, Lake Taupo compensation Claims Act 1947]
Some practical complications of undertaking level surveys in these terms:
Today it is practically complex to undertake level surveys in the terms prescribed by these legal definitions. But NZVD2016 provides a simple, robust, easily replicated, and therefore more transparent solution.
July 2020