NZ Topographic maps for Orux Maps, Locus Maps, AMap Viewer, and Guru Maps
What is this
This page contains links to offline topographical map files I have made of New Zealand so that you can use a GPS-equipped Android or iOS device as a GPS in remote areas with no data connection.
The maps are supported by the following applications (and other apps that support the mbtiles format).
Amap Viewer Android (Developed by myself). In AMap you can download from within the app, so this page is somewhat redundant.
Locus Maps Website Android Pro Version Android Free Version
Guru Maps (formerly Galileo Offline Maps) Website Android iOS
Below are links to the files you need to install topographical maps covering all of New Zealand on your phone or other device. These maps include the LINZ 1:50,000 maps at two zoom levels, LINZ 1:250,000 maps at two zoom levels and several levels of a 1:1,000,000 map.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for more maps, and some other app suggestions for travel and hiking.
Download Files
Option 1 NZ_Topographic.mbtiles (1,980,551,168 bytes) Updated from Linz Data Service May 2024.
Option 2 NZ_TopographicG.mbtiles (2,042,093,568 bytes) As per Option 1, but with a grid like printed maps. Updated from Linz Data Service May 2024.
These are very large files and could take a few minutes to several hours to download depending on the speed of your internet connection. Do not download using mobile data unless you are very sure how much it will cost. Even though the files are large they are much smaller than you will find elsewhere.
Note : AMap can download maps from within the app, which is easier than downloading from here as they will be automatically downloaded to the right place.
Copying to your device (Orux or Locus)
If you download the map file to your PC first, it can be troublesome to copy it to your device. It may be better to download directly to your device provided you have good WiFi and a good internet connection. It may help to place your device close to your wifi access point and plug it in to a charger.
If you downloaded the file to a PC, you can either -
copy the files to your Android device over a USB cable using MTP (Media Transfer Protocol). If this fails, it may help to change the display settings to keep the screen on. or
if your device has a removable SD card (set up as a portable device) you could remove the card, plug it into a card reader connected to your PC, copy the files, then re-insert the card in your device, or
if your device supports USB On The Go, you could copy the files to a USB drive, plug the drive into your device's USB port with a suitable cable, then copy the files with your device's file manager.
Copying to your device (Guru)
For iOS, please see the instructions in the Guru manual. For Android, you can download it, then "Open" it using the downloads app or by touching the download complete notification and choose to open it in Guru. Guru will then "install" it.
MBTiles maps location on your device (Orux or Locus)
In the free version of Oruxmaps the maps should be put in [Internal Storage]/oruxmaps/mapfiles. With the paid version from Google Play, the default location will be something like [Internal Storage]/Android/data/com.orux.oruxmaps/files/mapfiles.
In Locusmaps the default location was [Internal Storage]/locus/maps, but with the current version it is something like [Internal Storage]/Android/data/menion.android.locus.pro/files/Locus/maps.
Note that most file managers will not show folders under [Internal Storage]/Android/ and will not allow you to copy files there. However you can see these folders if you use a USB connection to a PC.
You will likely have to refresh the map list in Orux maps / Locus maps after copying new files onto the device.
App settings
If you have a device with high resolution screen, it may be useful to set a default digital zoom in your mapping app settings. As you zoom in , when the map changes you will want the text to be just readable. Note the automatic zoom setting in Locus maps may provide too much zoom, you may want to turn it off.
Copyright
This work is based on LINZ data which are licensed by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence.
Disclaimer
The maps are believed to have been accurately generated from LINZ data, however please check the maps for the area you are visiting. Remember there are many things that can go wrong with mobile devices. Do not rely solely on these maps for navigation.
NZ Walking Access Commission Maps
I have made an off-line copy of the NZ Walking Access Mapping System maps as at October 2017. These maps show where there is public access e.g. National Parks, other reserves, legal unformed roads and so on. You can download it from
wams_2017.mbtiles (296,089,600 bytes).
In AMap, there is a later vector format you can download from within the app. Do not use the above file.
This map is designed to be used as an overlay to the topographical maps above (or other maps). You will need Locus Maps Pro or Oruxmaps Version 6.5 or later to be able to show the overlay semi transparently on top of the other maps. (In Locusmaps use Menu / More Functions / Map Overlays, in Oruxmaps use Map Icon / Switch Map / Icon showing several layers on top of each other.)
Please see Walking Access Mapping System , http://walkingaccess.govt.nz/ and http://walkingaccess.govt.nz/walkways-and-access/walking-access-mapping/gis-data/ for further information and disclaimers. This Public Access Areas GIS layer is available to use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Licence.
World Maps
OpenAndroMaps. Maps of the world derived from OpenStreetMap data with contours, designed for hiking and biking. Works with AMap, Locus, and Orux applications. The New Zealand map is useful even if you have downloaded the above topographic map, as it often contains more tracks and is more up to date. Website Download Page
Note - AMap can download and unzip these maps from within the App which may be easier than downloading from here.
Some other suggested apps for maps and travel.
Google Maps. Driving directions, local amenities. Note the Offline Maps menu item. Android, iOS, Web
Google Photos. Unlimited storage, make albums to share, etc. Android, iOS, Web
Google Translate. Note the ability to download some languages so it can be used offline. Android and iOS
Files by Google. Google finally worked out that a file manager is useful. Use the browse button at the bottom, and select Show Storage Devices using the ... menu in the top right. (Use the "Clean" feature at your own risk.) Android
Maps.me Offline maps derived from Open Street Map data. Android and iOS
Here WeGo. Offline/online maps formerly Nokia maps. Includes driving directions with street numbers, speed alarms. Android and iOS
Map Toaster. Alternative app with downloadable NZ topographic maps for iPhone. iOS
GPSVisualizer. Convert tracks from and to various formats. Web
Suitable Android Device Specifications for the above apps (2018)
Screen size
4.5" : OK
5" : Good
6" : Excellent
Screen technology
LCD : OK
OLED / AMOLED : Best
Screen Resolution
960 * 540 : Adequate
1280 * 720 : Very Good
1920 * 1080 : Excellent
Any more may be pointless on a phone size device.
STORAGE (Internal)
16GB : Good
32GB+ : Best
Note - internal storage is always better than a plug in SD card. An external SD card may be slower and less reliable than internal storage and there are messy restrictions about what folders apps can write to.
RAM
1GB : Just adequate, running several Apps at the same time may have issues.
1.5GB : OK
2GB : Good
3GB+ : Excellent
Problems with running Apps in the background
See https://dontkillmyapp.com/ for instructions on how to adjust device settings on various devices to enable your mapping application to run in the background and record tracks. As noted on that site, with some brands/models it is virtually impossible for an end user to get applications to run in the background, so it may be best to avoid those brands/models.
Questions / Comments
Please contact 1921ian@gmail.com