We adopted the official height standard for New Zealand, Vertical Datum 2016 (NZVD2016), on 19 August 2024.
In surveying language, a vertical datum is a starting point, or reference point, for measuring heights and depths. Just as latitude and longitude help us locate places on the Earth’s surface, vertical datums help us measure up and down.
Official Christchurch height measurements
We've used a local vertical datum, called Christchurch Drainage Datum (CDD), since 1876.
We adopted the official height standard for New Zealand, Vertical Datum 2016 (NZVD2016), on 19 August 2024.
Most of our geographical datasets containing height information, such as water assets, have been updated to NZVD2016. Other historic datasets will be changed over time.
Data supplied to Christchurch City Council should only be in NZVD2016.
Converting between datums
Christchurch Drainage Datum (CDD) is based on the Lyttelton 1937 (Lyt37) datum, with CDD having a standard offset of 9.043m higher than Lyt37.
This offset allows you to quickly convert any CDD point to a Lyt37 point.
You can then use a converter, such as Land Information NZ's(external link), to find the Lyt37 to NZVD2016 offset.
The conversion result will show a Lyt37 offset value of approximately 0.3 to 0.4.
Formula: NZVD2016 = CDD – 9.043 – Lyt37 offset
Adopting the new standard
By using NZVD2016, we're ensuring Christchurch projects match other examples from around the country to the latest quality levels.
The new standard also makes it easier to exchange height information used in:
- Geographic products, such as elevation datasets
- Infrastructure
- Planning
- Consents.
Consistency in height standards is essential for:
- Managing water resources
- Assessing hazards
- Completing large-scale engineering works.
More information
Visit NZVD2016 information for councils(external link) for more information.