Hinterland characteristics – describes the nature of the hinterland with respect to its geomorphology and topography. This variable has 7 attributes such as lagoons, plains, rising ground and sea cliffs. The geomorphic variables were sourced from the New Zealand coastal type classification scheme and GIS mapping procedures that were previously created for Coastal Explorer using advice from expert panels including regional council staff, knowledgeable locals, university staff and consultants from throughout New Zealand. The coast was mapped and referenced against panel knowledge using information from a wide variety of sources including: 1:50,000 topographic maps, aerial photographs, Google Maps and Google Earth, RNZN hydrographic charts, various publications and reports, New Zealand Land Resources Inventory (NZLRI), the National Land Cover Data Base (LCDB), and the Estuarine Environment Classification database. In assembling the coastal and beach type information, site visits were made to many beaches to obtain information that could not be collected from existing sources, and parts of the coast were flown by light aircraft to obtain oblique aerial photographs.

Hinterland characteristics – describes the nature of the hinterland with respect to its geomorphology and topography. This variable has 7 attributes such as lagoons, plains, rising ground and sea cliffs. The geomorphic variables were sourced from the New Zealand coastal type classification scheme and GIS mapping procedures that were previously created for Coastal Explorer using advice from expert panels including regional council staff, knowledgeable locals, university staff and consultants from throughout New Zealand. The coast was mapped and referenced against panel knowledge using information from a wide variety of sources including: 1:50,000 topographic maps, aerial photographs, Google Maps and Google Earth, RNZN hydrographic charts, various publications and reports, New Zealand Land Resources Inventory (NZLRI), the National Land Cover Data Base (LCDB), and the Estuarine Environment Classification database. In assembling the coastal and beach type information, site visits were made to many beaches to obtain information that could not be collected from existing sources, and parts of the coast were flown by light aircraft to obtain oblique aerial photographs.