Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take?

Confirming or updating your address is a quick process and should not take more than a few minutes. Checking your address will help Emergency Services to locate you in the event of an Emergency, which could help save your life or the life of a loved one. Follow the How do I use this site? instructions.

How do I use this site?

  1. Start entering your address in the text box on the front screen, and select your address from the matching list of addresses.
  2. Check that the details displayed are correct and that the address is correctly positioned on the map.
  3. If everything is correct, click the "Confirm" button.
  4. You will also be given the option to enter further "locally known as information". Information such as local suburb details and/or Building / Farm names etc.
  5. If any of the address information or the position of your house is incorrect on the map, click the "Incorrect" button. You will have the option to correct the address details and/or position. See the following sections for details on updating your address details.
    How do I change my address details?
    Why can't I change the Suburb name?
    How do I change the location of my house on the map?
    How do I change the location of my house on the map when the correct location is not visible?

How do I change my address details?

If any of the address information or the position is incorrect on the map:

  1. Click the "Incorrect" button.
  2. Update any details which are displayed incorrectly by changing the details in the text boxes.
  3. You can also provide "local details" where your Road or Suburb is locally known by another name (e.g. "The Forgotten Highway").
  4. You can also provide "local details" relating to the Location, Building or Place name (e.g. Marotane Farm, Natusch House); and a Floor Level.
  5. If the map shows your address location incorrectly, you can also reposition your address on the map.
    See instructions on How do I change the location of my house on the map?
  6. Once you have made any changes or additions, click the "Update" button.
  7. A confirmation will appear displaying the changes to be sent to Terralink International.
  8. You may add your email address if you wish. This will be useful for Terralink International to contact you should there be any details which are unclear or require further verification.
  9. Click the "Update" button.

Why can't I change the suburb name?

The suburb name displayed is based on a set of standard suburbs (or "localities") maintained by the New Zealand Fire Service.

If you have a local name for your suburb, and it is not already in the "Suburb is also known as" list, then please enter the local name for your suburb into the "Suburb is also known as" field.

How do I change the location of my house on the map?

If your address is displayed incorrectly on the map:

  1. Click the "Incorrect" button.
  2. Click the "Reposition this address" button.
  3. Move your mouse within the map to the correct position (the pin will follow) and then use the mouse to click on the correct location.

How do I change the location of my house on the map when the correct location isn't visible?

Before clicking "Reposition this address", move the map display to show your address. You can move the map by either:

  • Clicking your mouse on one of the four arrows within the blue control at the top left of the map; or
  • "Dragging" the map using your mouse. Position the mouse within the map, press and hold the main mouse button while moving the mouse.

How do I zoom in or out?

You can zoom in and out of the map by using the zoom control near the top left arrows control. There are five zoom levels supported, and these can be changed by clicking the + or - magnifying glass.

Why can't I find my address?

There are reasons why you may not find a particular address.

  1. Firstly it is best to type only the first part of the address and then select from the addresses displayed.
  2. If your address does not show up using a street or road number, try typing just the street or road name and then locating the correct address on the displayed map.
  3. Are you searching for a "locally known as address" which is called something else within the New Zealand Address Register? If so, can you locate your address using a different address? Once found you will be able to add the "locally known as address" to the New Zealand Address Register.

I can see my street but I can't find my house number

Select your street from the list. Use the number ranges to get close to your address. If you can find your address click it, otherwise click "Add a new address". Complete the form and position the pin to locate your address on the map.

Why does nothing appear as I type?

As you type, whenever you pause, we will search the New Zealand Address Register for any matching addresses and display these. This requires that your Browser has JavaScript enabled.

To verify this, try entering "10 Queen" (or another common address). After pausing you should see a list of matching addresses. If you do not see these, then it is likely that JavaScript is not supported on your computer. If you are not familiar with how to enable JavaScript click here to view instructions, or else you may like to talk to your local computer expert.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a computer language used to add features to websites on the internet. It is possible that some older computers may not support this. It is also possible that JavaScript has been turned off on your computer.

Why does the New Zealand Address Register require JavaScript?

JavaScript is used to add many features to the Website to make it easier for you to use. It enables the search, and is required to make the map work.

What happens to any changes provided?

All changes submitted via the New Zealand Address Register will be verified by staff at Terralink International as part of their daily maintenance of the data that is used by Police, Fire and Ambulance. No changes will be applied until the accuracy of the address and any other information provided has been fully verified by Terralink International's staff. This is to ensure that the site is not used inappropriately, or that address data is not changed incorrectly.

Once verified, changes will be incorporated into Terralink International's address database and supplied to Emergency Services in their next data update.

How long will it take before Emergency Services receive these changes?

Any new address details are required to go through a very strict verification and quality control process before they can be updated within Terralink International's core dataset. This process may take anywhere between 2 - 4 weeks. The length of time that the data then takes to make its way through to the Emergency Services Communications Centres will depend on the frequency of scheduled data updates into the respective Emergency Services. These updates may take up to 3 months.

What will my email address be used for?

Your email address will only be used to contact you in relation to the New Zealand Address Register. It will not be sold or otherwise shared with any third parties or used in any other marketing activities.

Where does the property information come from?

The property information within the site is sourced from Terralink International's own NZ MasterMap database. This database obtains information from a large number of sources including Land Information New Zealand, Local Councils, Telecom, and many other sources. Terralink International sources and maintains the most comprehensive and accurate land and property information database in New Zealand. This database comprises 14 layers of data including topographic, legal property, aerial/satellite imagery, and addressing data layers.

Why is "locally known as" information important?

Sometimes addresses can be known by local names (e.g. "The Forgotten Highway") which are different to the official or legal address, and which are not always known to Emergency Services. If someone calls 111 and gives their address using a locally known name, this can make it very difficult for Emergency Services to locate the property.

By providing "locally known as" information, Terralink International is able to link the locally known details to the official address, meaning there is a much greater chance of the address being able to be located, even if the locally known name is provided.

What are the yellow lines around my property?

The yellow lines represent the actual or physical boundaries of your property, as visually interpreted by Terralink International using aerial photography, to show a physical representation of your property in relation to neighbouring properties. These lines may or may not be the same as the legal boundary as shown on a legal title for the property and should not be interpreted or used to define or decide you actual legal boundaries, which must always be done using official legal sources of information.

Why is the photo out of date (e.g. my roof is the wrong colour)?

Aerial photos are captured and updated over varying timeframes, often over periods of up to 3 - 5 years, depending on your geographic location. Terralink International will always try to source the latest available high resolution imagery, however this is not always guaranteed.

How do I get more help?

Email Terralink International with any further question.