A hierarchical classification of habitats within the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, identifies 47 habitat types in the Park. Spatial analysis of depth, exposure and substrates, A custom-built hierarchical classification model was undertaken based on previous the New Zealand Coastal Classification and Mapping Scheme (DOC and Mfish 2011) with more up-to-date, higher resolution datasets. Substrates are grouped according to the coarse Folk Scale, Depth categories were determined by the effect of light and physical disturbance in the marine environment, exposure was mapped based on mean annual significant wave height, areas of high tidal current and estuaries.

2016 version mis-classified some areas of soft substrate intertidal (sandy beach) areas as being rock. This version edits the intertidal based on the original 2011 classification and verifying aerial imagery. Some additional topology errors were corrected in August 2021, consisting of small gaps and overlaps of some habitats.

The habitat layer file symbology is based on the 'Habitat' field.