LiDAR data for study in NZ

[snowglass7]

I'm working on a personal project mapping forest canopy changes near Rotorua, New Zealand, and I'm hoping to get my hands on some airborne LiDAR data.
Does anyone know if New Zealand has open access LiDAR datasets? Also, how recent is the typical scan data, and is it detailed enough for vegetation analysis?

 

[Hamihaze1]

I know that OpenTopoghaphy has worldwide coverage and gridded datasets, so I'm sure it will cover Rotoura as well. Not sure about something specific to be honest, but give this one a try and see if it works.

 

[anatoly23]

I'm working on a personal project mapping forest canopy changes near Rotorua, New Zealand, and I'm hoping to get my hands on some airborne LiDAR data.
Does anyone know if New Zealand has open access LiDAR datasets? Also, how recent is the typical scan data, and is it detailed enough for vegetation analysis?

Yes, NZ has open-access airborne LiDAR data, including areas around Rotorua. You can find datasets through the Ministry for the Environment or OpenTopography. Most scans range from 2006 onwards, and the resolution is generally good enough for vegetation analysis, like canopy height and biomass. Check the metadata for each dataset to see how recent and detailed it is for your project.