Landslides are one of New Zealand’s – and Auckland’s - most significant natural hazards. Auckland Council has a range of strategies to proactively manage the risk from natural hazards and enhance the resilience of the region to these hazards, including landslides. As experienced in the 2023 storm events, landslides present a life safety risk, adversely affect property and infrastructure, and may damage or destroy cultural and environmental sites.

Two distinct maps were developed to reflect different landslide types: small-scale shallow landslides and large-scale deep-seated landslides.

The map provided in this dataset relates to large-scale landslides. These are geomorphic features that span most or all a hillslope, influenced by deeper geological structures, groundwater conditions, and longer-term landscape processes such as tectonic uplift, fluvial incision, and volcanic or earthquake activity.

The map classifies land into five susceptibility levels—very low to very high—based on geological, topographical, hydrological, and land use data. This Level A analysis, aligned with GNS Planning Guidelines, is intended as a regional overview and does not replace site-specific assessments. The mapping was developed by WSP under the direction of Auckland Council geotechnical staff and reviewed by a panel of experts.

Refer to Technical Report TR2025/7 “Auckland Region Landslide Susceptibility Assessment” on Knowledge Auckland for further information.

Lineage

The methodology used to identify these areas is presented in Auckland Council Technical Report TR2025/7 “Auckland Region Landslide Susceptibility Assessment” available on the Knowledge Auckland website.

Disclaimer

This is a susceptibility dataset and does not describe hazard or risk.

This is a regional-level assessment and is not intended for site-specific use without further, more detailed assessment.

The landslide susceptibility mapping completed in this study represents a desk-based, region-wide assessment that was carried out from examination of remotely sensed data including LiDAR and aerial imagery, along with regional-scale datasets.

No access was gained to properties, and site-specific stability assessments have not been undertaken. Property owners and developers should seek independent advice from a suitably qualified Geotechnical Professional (PEngGeol and/or CPEng) with appropriate relevant experience, on land stability at their particular property when considering development or the existing level of slope instability hazard.

It is recommended when sharing/viewing the data that this is representative and a 1:20000 scale is recommended (as mentioned in the original report).

Where water bodies exist (mapped or not), no susceptibility is assumed.

Refer to Technical Report on Knowledge Auckland for full details on limitations.