This map showing the geology of New Zealand's main islands is derived from the New Zealand Geological Survey maps "North Island" and "South Island" at 1:1 000 000 scale (1972).

Since the publication of those maps, a new 1:250 000 scale geological mapping programme has been undertaken in New Zealand. This project, called QMap, is currently under way, with 10 of the 21 map sheets now published. When the QMap programme has been completed, there will be up-to-date digital geological coverage of New Zealand, but until then there is still a need for a map of the whole country. This digital version of the 1972 map, which has limited upgrades from more recent knowledge, is intended to fill that need.

Along with this web map, you can access photographs and text giving more details of New Zealand geology. The map is also published as a poster at 1:2 000 000 scale.

This web map was derived from the 1972 published map by Jane Forsyth, Belinda Smith Lyttle and Ben Morrison of Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences (GNS). The photographs were selected and edited by Jane Forsyth and Philip Carthew.