GNS Science Data and Collections (Earth Sciences New Zealand)

Overview

GNS Science – Data and Collections is the data and specimen repository arm of GNS Science (Te Pū Ao), New Zealand's Crown Research Institute for geology, geophysics, and nuclear sciences. It manages eight nationally significant databases and collections as well as approximately 25 other high-value data resources spanning New Zealand's geological, geophysical, and environmental heritage. As of 1 July 2025, GNS Science merged with NIWA to form Earth Sciences New Zealand.

History and Founding

GNS Science traces its institutional heritage to the New Zealand Geological Survey, founded on 1 April 1865, making it one of the country's oldest scientific institutions. After successive reorganizations through the DSIR (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research), GNS Science was formally established as a Crown Research Institute in 1992. Its data and collections services have been formally structured and government-funded since then, with the open-data-by-default policy and FAIR principles adopted in more recent years.

Collections and Holdings

Nationally significant holdings include the New Zealand Paleontological Collections and Database, the New Zealand Fossil Record File, the Regional Geological Map Archive and Datafile (including fieldsheets dating to the late 1800s), the PETLAB National Rock and Geoanalytical Database, the New Zealand Tsunami Database, and the GeoNet seismic and hazard monitoring dataset. The GNS Science Visual Media Library (formerly the Photo Library) holds over 200,000 images of geological features, landscapes, volcanic eruptions, and scientific fieldwork.

Access and Usage

Most data are openly available via the GNS Science Dataset Catalogue and various web map applications. Physical samples and specimens are available for research purposes under Creative Commons licensing. Researchers can access data through the GNS website at gns.cri.nz/data-and-resources.