FAQ

Your questions answered

I have an updated LUC map for my property. Can this be loaded into the LUC database?

The short answer is 'no'. We are aware that there are tens of thousands of hectares – probably thousands of farms or catchments - that have been LUC mapped over the years by catchment boards and Regional Councils as well as private mappers. 

Although it has been frequently discussed, Manaaki Whenua has never had and also currently does not have funding or a project to use farm-scale LUC data for building a new and improved NZLRI. It also may sound easier than it is, given that there undoubtedly will be issues of coverage and completeness, LUC mapping standards and quality, data sovereignty and willingness of data owners to share, to name but a few.

 

Can management change the Land Use Capability (LUC) classifications?

LUC classification of areas cannot be changed until the next version is released. If the area is classified differently from ground view it would need to be stated in the survey, assessment, or report, and specified that the LUC classification is not the same as the definition.

 

Can you change the LUC classification of an area through farm management?

Certain LUC classifications would be able to be changed but it would have to be noted in the survey, assessment, or report that this has been done. 

‘Physical Limitations’ refer to land characteristics which have an adverse effect on the capability of land. These limitations can be permanent, removable, or modifiable and are explained in Section 3.3.5.2 of the Land Use Capability Handbook (3rd Editions) and seen below:

Permanent limitations Removable limitations Modifiable limitations
  • Rock type attributes
  • Adverse climate (e.g. frequency of extreme events).
  • Excess wetness even after drainage.
  • Overflow from major river systems that cannot be controlled.
  • Slope angle.
  • Soil attributes, such as plant rooting depth (presence of subsoil pans or other rooting impediments), texture, structure, water holding capacity, type of clay minerals
  • Gravel and boulders on the land surface and brought to the surface by cultivation
    (stone picking or piling).
  • Soil wetness (drainage, water diversion, land reclamation).
  • Flooding risk (through large community flood control schemes).
  • Soil moisture deficit (through large irrigation schemes).
  • Erosion.
  • Nutrient deficiencies.
  • Soil moisture deficit.


A fundamental question remains – What happens if the irrigation is removed? The change was only temporary. Can you permanently alter the land? Drains can become blocked without maintenance. Removing stones is much costlier if stoniness is the major limitation.

 

Would it be easy enough to put a LUC Classification map together myself?

Yes, using the Our Environment portal you can build a LUC Classification map.

You can view and use the LUC data, without registering and logging in. However some functionality will not be available to you until you login, like saving your pins / features, customising and sharing reports. Registering is quick and easy, and completely free. 

For general help with the site, such as map navigation, search, print etc. go to our First Time Here section.

 

Other content in this section

Testing soil. Image: Nathan Odgers
Glossary
Common terms and acronyms used in the Land Use Capability Classification System.
Learn more
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