03 October 2010 - www.nztopomaps.com - Media Release:

Official New Zealand Topographic Maps available for free online through
the new website www.nztopomaps.com

The online service allows users to quickly find, view and print
topographic maps for planning recreational, business and research
activities, and includes a place name search function. nztopomaps.com
provides fast and simple access to the 'NZTopo' Topographic Map Series,
which are traditionally purchased as printed paper maps.

The 'NZTopo' Topographic Map Series, produced by Land Information New
Zealand (LINZ), is used for a variety of recreational activities such as
tramping and fishing, and by businesses and government entities such as
the Department of Conservation. Topographic maps are also an essential
tool for defense planning, location and routing services, and land
management.

The service is also available on smartphones such as iPhone devices, and
makes use of their in-built GPS capabilities. Screen shots from an
iPhone to demonstrate the use of nztopomaps.com on a smartphone are
available from our media resources page at
http://www.nztopomaps.com/media/.

"It's great to see an initiative like this that leverages quality
information and presents it in a different form to the wider community.
LINZ has modernized its production systems to allow a wider range of
digital map products to become available online and free. It is great to
see them being endorsed in this way." Colin MacDonald - CEO, Land
Information New Zealand.

"LINZ topographical maps have guided New Zealand adventurers safely in
and out of the most wild and remote corners of the archipelago for
decades. The NZTopoMaps project brings the entire geographical catalogue
to the fingertips. Adventures can be planned in detail without having to
the buy the maps first and provide elevation detail that Google Maps
gloss over. You can feel the burn in your thighs just looking at those
tightly packed isolines." James Frankham, Editor, New Zealand Geographic
Magazine.

"Free web access to New Zealand topo maps makes them more accessible and
usable. You can discover so much about New Zealand by looking at a topo
map." Reuben Williams, Environmental Information Consultant and
nztopomaps.com producer, NZISTA Limited.

A detailed introduction to nztopomaps.com, with TVNZ News Presenter
Peter Williams, is available for viewing on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/v/yPK6AYWD1Ao?hl=en&fs=1
<http://www.youtube.com/v/yPK6AYWD1Ao?hl=en&fs=1>

Media resources are available at http://www.nztopomaps.com/media/


Contact for enquiries:
Reuben Williams
phone: 021 814 080
email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:info%40nztopomaps.com>


Keep up to date with any new features or updates by following our
Twitter updates.
www.twitter.com/nztopomaps

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Distributed by:
NZISTA Limited
PO BOX 32026
Christchurch 8147


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