Finding Underground Utility Data in New Zealand
There are a lot of places to look for buried-asset records - and each one tells you something different. Here’s where to start, and where each source falls short.
When planning excavation or construction, knowing where the utilities are is critical. New Zealand has several overlapping data sources; none of them are complete on their own. Here are the five we keep coming back to.
The five sources to know
beforeUdig
The most popular online resource in NZ. A free service that fans a single notification out to participating Network Utility Operators near your dig site.
- Fast, batched notification across many NUOs
- Documenting your due-diligence trail
- Doesn’t cover every operator - check your area separately
- Records returned vary in format and detail
Certified locators
Once you’ve gathered records, certified locators verify what’s actually there. They use EM locators and ground-penetrating radar to position assets to within ±150 mm and mark them for the dig crew.
- Tightening tolerance from desktop to ±150 mm
- Catching assets the records missed
- Cost per visit - bundle with geotech if you can
- Quality varies; ask for PAS128 quality levels
Council GIS
Most councils run a public GIS - Auckland’s GeoMaps is the best-known. Excellent for property boundaries, council three-waters and consenting overlays.
- Three-waters (storm, sewer, potable)
- Property boundaries, easements, consents
- Coverage of private utilities is patchy
- Each council has its own GIS - UX varies wildly
Operators directly
For specifics - load, age, materials, depth - go straight to the NUO. Most have a GIS team that handles asset enquiries. UtilityFinder lists every NZ NUO with their direct contact details and locate-request page, so you can chase them quickly.
- Authoritative attribute data (age, material, depth)
- Site-specific guidance and standover requirements
- Response times vary from hours to weeks
- Some commercially sensitive records aren’t shared
LINZ / Land Record Search
Toitū Te Whenua (Land Information New Zealand) holds the authoritative title and survey records via Land Record Search. Useful for property boundaries and easements that affect where utilities are likely to run.
- Authoritative boundaries and easements
- Historic survey marks and trig stations
- Doesn’t hold utility plans directly
- Records are documents, not GIS layers
No single source has the full picture.
beforeUdig might miss a non-member NUO. Council GIS may not show private comms. Operator records can lag behind site reality. Layering the five sources above is how you build a record you can actually dig from.
Why use UtilityFinder?
These sources are scattered across operator websites and council portals. UtilityFinder pulls every NZ utility operator into a searchable directory - with locate-request links and any publicly published asset data - so your plan search starts on one screen. You'll still need to submit a formal locate request before excavating.
Keep reading
How to safely locate underground utilities
Plans only get you so far - here’s the full investigation process.
How to locate buried cables in New Zealand
Practical detection methods for the on-site stage of the investigation.
Understanding utility markout colours
How to read the spray-paint marks left by your locator on site.
Operator directory by region
Skip the search - find every NUO we list, organised by NZ region.
See what's underground at your address.
UtilityFinder maps NZ utility operators on a single interactive map. Pin your worksite and start your plan search in seconds.