NZ Overland Flow Path Map — Version 1.0 — April 2026
This map is a general reference tool only. It is not engineering advice and must not be used for consents, property decisions, or flood risk assessments. Data is in beta and has known limitations including incomplete coverage in some regions.
By accessing or using the NZ Overland Flow Path Map at subeng.nz/flood-map.html (the "Map"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, do not use the Map.
The Map is provided by SAE Ltd (NZBN 9429050896903) as a free, general-purpose reference tool. It displays overland flow path data derived from LiDAR terrain modelling. The Map is a data visualisation tool, not a professional engineering product or engineering advice.
The Map is in beta. Data, coverage, and features are under active development and may change or be updated without notice.
The Map is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional engineering advice, surveying, flood risk assessment, or any other professional service. You must not rely on the Map for:
For site-specific flood assessment, overland flow path analysis, or stormwater design, engage a qualified professional engineer. SAE Ltd offers these services at subeng.nz.
The following limitations are known and accepted as inherent to the data:
Specific regional issues are shown in the Known Issues panel within the Map. SAE Ltd makes no warranty that these issues are complete or current.
The Map displays modelled overland flow paths derived from LiDAR terrain data. The display of a flow path on or near any parcel of land does not constitute:
Flow paths shown on the Map are derived from terrain surface modelling only. The model does not account for underground stormwater pipes, culverts, road drains, or other constructed drainage infrastructure. In urban areas particularly, actual drainage behaviour will differ from the modelled terrain flow paths. A flow path shown on the Map may not exist in practice if adequate constructed drainage is present.
The authoritative source for flood hazard information affecting a specific property is your local council. Regional councils and territorial authorities publish flood hazard layers through their GIS portals and Land Information Memoranda. SAE Ltd's Map is not a substitute for a LIM report or council flood hazard overlay.
If you believe flow path data displayed for a specific location contains an error, you may report it by emailing info@subeng.nz with the location details. SAE Ltd will review reported errors and update the data in future releases where corrections are confirmed. SAE Ltd does not accept liability for loss arising prior to any correction.
To the maximum extent permitted by New Zealand law, SAE Ltd, its directors, employees, and agents accept no liability for any loss, damage, cost, or expense (including legal costs) arising from or in connection with:
Use of the Map is entirely at your own risk.
Life-safety and emergency use: The Map must not be used for emergency management, civil defence planning, evacuation routing, flood response coordination, or any other life-safety application. The Map does not provide real-time flood data and is not validated for emergency use.
Institutional and official use: Councils, government agencies, regional authorities, emergency management organisations, insurance underwriters, and financial institutions must not use the Map in official documents, planning instruments, underwriting decisions, property valuations, or any formal assessment without a separate written data licence agreement from SAE Ltd. Contact info@subeng.nz.
AI and automated systems: The Map and its data must not be used to train artificial intelligence or machine learning models, feed automated property assessment systems, or provide input to any system that outputs conclusions about specific properties or locations without human expert review. Automated scraping or systematic data extraction is prohibited.
Insurance underwriting: The Map must not be used as a basis or contributing factor for insurance underwriting, premium setting, policy issuance, claims assessment, or coverage decisions for any property. SAE Ltd's data does not constitute a flood risk assessment for insurance purposes.
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SAE Ltd, its directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including legal costs) arising from or related to: (a) your use of the Map in breach of these Terms; (b) any representation you make to a third party based on the Map; or (c) any third-party claim arising from your use or misuse of the Map.
Any claim arising from your use of the Map must be brought within 12 months of the date you first accessed the Map session giving rise to the claim. Claims brought after this period are barred to the maximum extent permitted by law.
To the maximum extent permitted by New Zealand law, all warranties (express or implied) are excluded, including any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or accuracy. Nothing in these Terms limits any rights you may have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 that cannot be excluded by agreement.
Overland flow path data is derived from LiDAR terrain data sourced from the LINZ Data Service under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence (CC BY 4.0). Terrain data © Crown copyright reserved. Base map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Processed data and map application © SAE Ltd 2026.
You may use the Map for personal, research, and general reference purposes. Commercial redistribution of map data, systematic bulk download, or incorporation of map data into any third-party product or database is not permitted without written agreement from SAE Ltd.
Use of the Map is subject to the Privacy Policy. The Map uses Google Analytics to collect anonymised usage data. No personally identifiable information is collected through the Map itself.
SAE Ltd may update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Map after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. Material changes will be indicated by incrementing the version number above.
These Terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.
SAE Ltd
Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Email: info@subeng.nz
Phone: 027 604 4015