Using Kāpehu
Kāpehu is a browser-only Māori GIS mapping tool for creating your own features and exploring public reference layers in 3D. None of your created data is cloud stored by Kāpehu. Your saved features remain in local browser storage on your phone, tablet, or desktop only unless you choose to export them yourself.
Data sovereignty and ownership
This app supports data sovereignty and ownership by keeping your created data in your browser on your device. If you export sensitive data out of the browser, take care that OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar services are not automatically uploading those files to the cloud.
3D map
Kāpehu works in 3D. You can explore terrain, inspect layers, and create places, paths, and areas directly on the map. Use the left and right arrow buttons to slowly rotate the view anticlockwise or clockwise. Press the same arrow again, or interact with the map, to stop the movement.
Elevation and layers
The DEM or DSM button switches the terrain source. DEM shows bare ground. DSM includes trees, buildings, and surface objects. The layer buttons turn public reference layers on or off, including Māori land blocks, marae, pā sites, parcels, rivers, and labels.
Creating and editing features
- Choose Place, Path, or Area.
- Choose a kaupapa.
- Press Start drawing.
- Tap once for a place.
- Tap several times for a path or area, then press Finish shape.
- Add a name and notes.
- Press Save feature.
- To change an existing feature, open it from Saved features and choose Edit on map.
Search and navigation
Use search to find place names, marae, land blocks, iwi, hapū, addresses, and saved features. Search results can jump straight to the stored centre and zoom for an iwi or hapū record.
Import and export
You can create, edit, export, and import data files in your browser. Export to GeoJSON, CSV, or KML when needed, and import GeoJSON back into Kāpehu on the same or another device.