The National Trees Outside Woodland (TOW) V1 map is a vector product funded by DEFRA’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme produced under Forest Research’s Earth Observation for Trees and Woodlands (EOTW) project. The TOW map identifies canopy cover over 3m tall and 5m2 area which exists outside the National Forest Inventory (National Forest Inventory - Forest Research). Canopy cover is categorised into the following woodland types - lone trees, groups of trees and small woodlands. The data set was derived from the Vegetation Object Model (VOM) (Environment Agency, EA), the National Lidar Survey (EA), and Sentinel-2 (European Space Agency) imagery using spatial algorithms. The method is fully automated with no manual manipulation or editing. The map and its production method has been quality assured by DEFRA science assurance protocols and assessed for accuracy using ground truth data. Because the process classifies objects based on proximity to features within OS mapping, there could be some misclassifications of those objects not included in the OS (specifically: static caravans, shipping containers, large tents, marquees, coastal cliffs and solar farms). This is a first release of this dataset, the quality of the production methods will be reviewed over the next year, and improvements will be made where possible. The TOW map is available under open government licence and free to download from the Forestry Commission open data download website (Forestry Commission) and view online on the NCEA ArcGIS Online web portal (Trees Outside Woodland). A full report containing details on methodology, accuracy and user guide is available. TOW map web portal link : ncea.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=cf571f455b444e588aa94bbd22021cd3 FR TOW map web page : https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/fthr/trees-outside-woodland-map/ Attribution statement: © Forestry Commission copyright and/or database right 2025. All rights reserved.

Dataset for the maps accompanying the Housing in Aotearoa New Zealand: 2025 report. This dataset contains counts and measures for:

• average number of private dwellings per square kilometre
• home ownership rates
• mould and damp.

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Data is available by statistical area 2.

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Average number of private dwellings per square kilometre has data for occupied, unoccupied, and total private dwellings from the 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses, including:

• dwelling counts
• percentage change in the count of dwellings
• average number of dwellings per square kilometre.

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Home ownership rates has data for households in occupied private dwellings from the 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses, including:

• counts and percentages for households that owned their home or held it in a family trust, or did not own their home
• percentage change in the count of households that owned their home or held it in a family trust, or did not own their home.

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Mould and damp has data for occupied private dwellings from the 2018 and 2023 Censuses, including:

• counts and percentages for dwellings with or without mould or damp
• percentage change in the count of dwellings with or without mould or damp.

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Map shows the average number of private dwellings per square kilometre for the 2023 Census.

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Map shows the percentage of households in occupied private dwellings that owned their home or held it in a family trust for the 2023 Census.

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Map shows the percentage of occupied private dwellings that were damp or mouldy for the 2023 Census.

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Download lookup file from Stats NZ ArcGIS Online or embedded attachment in Stats NZ geographic data service. Download data table (excluding the geometry column for CSV files) using the instructions in the Koordinates help guide.

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Footnotes

Geographical boundaries

Statistical standard for geographic areas 2023 (updated December 2023) has information about geographic boundaries as of 1 January 2023. Address data from 2013 and 2018 Censuses was updated to be consistent with the 2023 areas. Due to the changes in area boundaries and coding methodologies, 2013 and 2018 counts published in 2023 may be slightly different to those published in 2013 or 2018.

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Caution using time series

Time series data should be interpreted with care due to changes in census methodology and differences in response rates between censuses. The 2023 and 2018 Censuses used a combined census methodology (using census responses and administrative data), while the 2013 Census used a full-field enumeration methodology (with no use of administrative data).

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Dwelling density

This data shows the average number of private dwellings (occupied and unoccupied) per square kilometre of land for an area. This is a measure of dwelling density.

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About the 2023 Census dataset

For information on the 2023 Census dataset see Using a combined census model for the 2023 Census. We combined data from the census forms with administrative data to create the 2023 Census dataset, which meets Stats NZ's quality criteria for population structure information. We added real data about real people to the dataset where we were confident the people who hadn’t completed a census form (which is known as admin enumeration) will be counted. We also used data from the 2018 and 2013 Censuses, administrative data sources, and statistical imputation methods to fill in some missing characteristics of people and dwellings.

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Data quality

The quality of data in the 2023 Census is assessed using the quality rating scale and the quality assurance framework to determine whether data is fit for purpose and suitable for release. Data quality assurance in the 2023 Census has more information.

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Quality rating of a variable

The quality rating of a variable provides an overall evaluation of data quality for that variable, usually at the highest levels of classification. The quality ratings shown are for the 2023 Census unless stated. There is variability in the quality of data at smaller geographies. Data quality may also vary between censuses, for subpopulations, or when cross tabulated with other variables or at lower levels of the classification. Data quality ratings for 2023 Census variables has more information on quality ratings by variable.

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Dwelling occupancy status quality rating

Dwelling occupancy status is rated as high quality.

Dwelling occupancy status – 2023 Census: Information by concept has more information, for example, definitions and data quality.

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Dwelling type quality rating

Dwelling type is rated as moderate quality.

Dwelling type – 2023 Census: Information by concept has more information, for example, definitions and data quality.

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Tenure of household quality rating

Tenure of household is rated as moderate quality.

Tenure of household – 2023 Census: Information by concept has more information, for example, definitions and data quality.

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Dwelling dampness indicator quality rating

Dwelling dampness indicator is rated as moderate quality.

Housing quality – 2023 Census: Information by concept has more information, for example, definitions and data quality.

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Dwelling mould indicator quality rating

Dwelling mould indicator is rated as moderate quality.

Housing quality – 2023 Census: Information by concept has more information, for example, definitions and data quality.

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Using data for good

Stats NZ expects that, when working with census data, it is done so with a positive purpose, as outlined in the Māori Data Governance Model (Data Iwi Leaders Group, 2023). This model states that "data should support transformative outcomes and should uplift and strengthen our relationships with each other and with our environments. The avoidance of harm is the minimum expectation for data use. Māori data should also contribute to iwi and hapū tino rangatiratanga”.

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Confidentiality

The 2023 Census confidentiality rules have been applied to 2013, 2018, and 2023 data. These rules protect the confidentiality of individuals, families, households, dwellings, and undertakings in 2023 Census data. Counts are calculated using fixed random rounding to base 3 (FRR3) and suppression of ‘sensitive’ counts less than six, where tables report multiple geographic variables and/or small populations. Individual figures may not always sum to stated totals. Applying confidentiality rules to 2023 Census data and summary of changes since 2018 and 2013 Censuses has more information about 2023 Census confidentiality rules.

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Symbol

-998 Not applicable

-999 Confidential

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Inconsistencies in definitions

Please note that there may be differences in definitions between census classifications and those used for other data collections.

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The life-cycle age groups are:

• under 15 years
• 15 to 29 years
• 30 to 64 years
• 65 years and over.

Map shows the percentage change in the census usually resident population count for life-cycle age groups between the 2018 and 2023 Censuses.

Download lookup file from Stats NZ ArcGIS Online or Stats NZ geographic data service.

Footnotes

Geographical boundaries
Statistical standard for geographic areas 2023 (updated December 2023) has information about geographic boundaries as of 1 January 2023. Address data from 2013 and 2018 Censuses was updated to be consistent with the 2023 areas. Due to the changes in area boundaries and coding methodologies, 2013 and 2018 counts published in 2023 may be slightly different to those published in 2013 or 2018.

Subnational census usually resident population
The census usually resident population count of an area (subnational count) is a count of all people who usually live in that area and were present in New Zealand on census night. It excludes visitors from overseas, visitors from elsewhere in New Zealand, and residents temporarily overseas on census night. For example, a person who usually lives in Christchurch city and is visiting Wellington city on census night will be included in the census usually resident population count of Christchurch city. 

Caution using time series
Time series data should be interpreted with care due to changes in census methodology and differences in response rates between censuses. The 2023 and 2018 Censuses used a combined census methodology (using census responses and administrative data), while the 2013 Census used a full-field enumeration methodology (with no use of administrative data).

About the 2023 Census dataset
For information on the 2023 dataset see Using a combined census model for the 2023 Census. We combined data from the census forms with administrative data to create the 2023 Census dataset, which meets Stats NZ's quality criteria for population structure information. We added real data about real people to the dataset where we were confident the people who hadn’t completed a census form (which is known as admin enumeration) will be counted. We also used data from the 2018 and 2013 Censuses, administrative data sources, and statistical imputation methods to fill in some missing characteristics of people and dwellings.

Data quality
The quality of data in the 2023 Census is assessed using the quality rating scale and the quality assurance framework to determine whether data is fit for purpose and suitable for release. Data quality assurance in the 2023 Census has more information.

Quality rating of a variable
The quality rating of a variable provides an overall evaluation of data quality for that variable, usually at the highest levels of classification. The quality ratings shown are for the 2023 Census unless stated. There is variability in the quality of data at smaller geographies. Data quality may also vary between censuses, for subpopulations, or when cross tabulated with other variables or at lower levels of the classification. Data quality ratings for 2023 Census variables has more information on quality ratings by variable.

Age concept quality rating
Age is rated as very high quality.
Age – 2023 Census: Information by concept has more information, for example, definitions and data quality.

Using data for good
Stats NZ expects that, when working with census data, it is done so with a positive purpose, as outlined in the Māori Data Governance Model (Data Iwi Leaders Group, 2023). This model states that "data should support transformative outcomes and should uplift and strengthen our relationships with each other and with our environments. The avoidance of harm is the minimum expectation for data use. Māori data should also contribute to iwi and hapū tino rangatiratanga".

Confidentiality
The 2023 Census confidentiality rules have been applied to 2013, 2018, and 2023 data. These rules protect the confidentiality of individuals, families, households, dwellings, and undertakings in 2023 Census data. Counts are calculated using fixed random rounding to base 3 (FRR3) and suppression of ‘sensitive’ counts less than six, where tables report multiple geographic variables and/or small populations. Individual figures may not always sum to stated totals. Applying confidentiality rules to 2023 Census data and summary of changes since 2018 and 2013 Censuses has more information about 2023 Census confidentiality rules.

The National Trees Outside Woodland (TOW) V1 map is a vector product funded by DEFRA’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme produced under Forest Research’s Earth Observation for Trees and Woodlands (EOTW) project.

The TOW map identifies canopy cover over 3m tall and 5m2 area which exists outside the National Forest Inventory (National Forest Inventory - Forest Research). Canopy cover is categorised into the following woodland types - lone trees, groups of trees and small woodlands.

The data set was derived from the Vegetation Object Model (VOM) (Environment Agency, EA), the National Lidar Survey (EA), and Sentinel-2 (European Space Agency) imagery using spatial algorithms. The method is fully automated with no manual manipulation or editing. The map and its production method has been quality assured by DEFRA science assurance protocols and assessed for accuracy using ground truth data.

Because the process classifies objects based on proximity to features within OS mapping, there could be some misclassifications of those objects not included in the OS (specifically: static caravans, shipping containers, large tents, marquees, coastal cliffs and solar farms).

This is a first release of this dataset, the quality of the production methods will be reviewed over the next year, and improvements will be made where possible.

The TOW map is available under open government licence and free to download from the Forestry Commission open data download website (Forestry Commission) and view online on the NCEA ArcGIS Online web portal (Trees Outside Woodland). A full report containing details on methodology, accuracy and user guide is available.

TOW map web portal link : ncea.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=cf571f455b444e588aa94bbd22021cd3

FR TOW map web page : https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/fthr/trees-outside-woodland-map/