New Zealand Rail Maps

Downloads

The files on this page are global files – that is, each file covers a different category of the entire rail network of New Zealand. In addition to the files accessed from this page, other files are produced that are local – that is, that they are specific to each of the 12 volumes that make up the NZ Rail Maps project in total. These local files can be accessed through the Volumes section of this site.

MBTiles Files

The MBTiles files are XYZ webmap tiles that were produced for the Webmaps section of this website. The Webmaps site operated from 2020 until it was shut down in September 2026. The MBTiles will continue to be updated annually for the life of the project. The webmaps used Leaflet to display the layers and the description of each file is with reference to Leaflet conventions. Last update: September 13, 2026.

  • Base-Maps: This is a base layer. It is the source for the “Topographic” layer in the Webmaps site and is produced from GIS layers that contain data for coastlines, borders, placenames, height points and contours, land boundaries, waterways, lakes, and terrain relief shading. This mbtiles layer is currently approximately 8 GB in size. The tiles are jpg format in zoom levels 9-19 with some features not captured at lower zoom levels.
  • Overlay-Current-Infra: This is an overlay layer. It is the source for the “Current Infrastructure” layer in the Webmaps site and is produced from GIS layers that contain data for bridges, tunnels, features, buildings, structures and sites. This mbtiles layer is currently approximately 200 MB in size. Tiles are png format in zoom levels 9-19 with some features not captured at lower zoom levels.
  • Overlay-Current-Tracks: This is an overlay layer. It is the source for the “Current Tracks” layer in the Webmaps site and is produced from GIS layers that contain data for trunk and branch lines, yards and sidings, and other related corridors. This mbtiles layer is currently approximately 1.5 GB in size. Tiles are png format in zoom levels 9-19 with some features not captured at lower zoom levels.
  • Overlay-Former-Infra: This is an overlay layer. It is the source for the “Former Infrastructure” layer in the Webmaps site and is produced from GIS layers that contain data for bridges, tunnels, features, buildings, structures and sites. This mbtiles layer is currently approximately 200 MB in size. Tiles are png format in zoom levels 9-19 with some features not captured at lower zoom levels.
  • Overlay-Former-Tracks: This is an overlay layer. It is the source for the “Former Tracks” layer in the Webmaps site and is produced from GIS layers that contain data for trunk and branch lines, yards and sidings, and other related corridors. This mbtiles layer is currently approximately 1.2 GB in size. Tiles are png format in zoom levels 9-19 with some features not captured at lower zoom levels.
  • Overlay-Locations: This is an overlay layer. It is the source for the “Locations” layer in the Webmaps site and is produced from GIS layers that contain data for stations, mileage or kilometrage markers, siding locations, some signals and intermediate boards. This mbtiles layer is currently approximately 250 MB in size. Tiles are png format in zoom levels 9-19 with some features not captured at lower zoom levels.
  • Overlay-Non-Rail: This is an overlay layer. It is the source for the “Non Rail” layer in the Webmaps site and is produced from GIS layers that contain data for non-rail bridges, tunnels, features, buildings, structures and sites as well as roads and land voids (e.g. washouts on closed corridors). This mbtiles layer is currently approximately 3.5 GB in size. Tiles are png format in zoom levels 9-19 with some features not captured at lower zoom levels.
  • Overlay-Other-Details: This is an overlay layer. It is the source for the “Other Details” layer in the Webmaps site and is produced from GIS layers containing proposed features as well as the lakebed of Lake Dunstan and the riverbed of the Clutha River in the Cromwell Gorge . The layer is currently approximately 100 MB in size. Tiles are png format in zoom levels 9-19 with some features not captured at lower zoom levels.

KML Files

The KML files are produced for the NZ Rail Maps’ Google Earth Web maps. The GEW maps began to operate in September 2026. The layers in the GEW maps will be updated regularly throughout the year as new data is added or revised in the NZRM project volumes.

  • Places: This layer is produced from GIS layers that contain data for stations, siding locations, some signals, and intermediate boards.
  • Milepegs: This layer is produced from GIS layers that contain data for mile or kilometre pegs.
  • Buildings: This layer is produced from GIS layers that contain data for building footprints.
  • Structures: This layer is produced from GIS layers that contain data for structure footprints.
  • Bridges & Tunnels: This layer is produced from GIS layers that contain data for bridges and tunnels.
  • Sites: This layer is produced from GIS layers that contain data for site footprints.
  • Active Rail Corridors: This layer is produced from GIS layers that contain data for active rail corridors – which includes operational railway lines and rail trails.
  • Inactive Rail Corridors: This layer is produced from GIS layers that contain data for inactive rail corridors, such as closed or bypassed railway lines.
  • Other Corridors: This layer is produced from GIS layers that contain data for other rail corridors, such as bush or street tramways, and non-rail corridors such as overhead cableways or pipelines.
  • Sidings: This layer is produced from GIS layers that contain data for yards and sidings.