Mapping Ink: Using Open Source GIS Data to Tattoo a River
11-20, 10:10–10:15 (Pacific/Auckland), WG403

A friend sent me a message asking if I could extract the Te Arai River outline in Tai Rawhiti for a tattoo idea he had.


Using LINZ Open Data and a few QGIS geoprocessing tools, I was able to extract various river lines for a friend to then pass on to his tattoo artist to add his flare. It was a fun way to use GIS for something personal—turning open data into a design that tells a story.

I’m a Geologist turned GIS Developer at Kenex, a company based in Eastbourne, Wellington. My work focuses on combining spatial analysis with mineral exploration to help uncover new opportunities using data-driven approaches. I enjoy finding creative ways to use GIS—whether it's building web tools, processing complex datasets, or even using GIS to design a tattoo for a friend.