Walking Access Mapping System open for public use

Media release

21 July 2011

Walking Access Mapping System open for public use

People who love the outdoors can now find all publically accessible rivers, mountains, lakes, forests, beaches and legal roads thanks to a new online mapping system developed by the New Zealand Walking Access Commission.

The Walking Access Mapping System (WAMS), online at www.wams.org.nz, identifies public land across New Zealand. The Commission has today opened the system for public use following a testing period to gather user feedback.

Commission Chief Executive Mark Neeson said the free-to-use Walking Access Mapping System was a valuable resource, both for recreationalists and land owners.

“The benefits of the mapping system to groups like walkers, anglers and hunters are huge, but these maps are also vitally important for landholders. Detailed maps that inform the public about land that is and isn’t publically accessible are essential if people are to know the extent and limits of their legal access.”

Access over private land was always a matter of negotiation between a person seeking access and the landowner, Mr Neeson said.

Many local authorities hold public access information for their area but WAMS is the first time it has been unified into a nationwide system. Other sectors, including the property sector, are now using WAMS as their site of choice.

“This is a new and innovative use of core government data, with clear benefits to end users,” Mr Neeson said. “Users can view, at no cost, all of New Zealand’s land parcels with contextual aerial, topographic and public access information from one website – a New Zealand first.”

The Walking Access Mapping System uses geographic information system (GIS) technology to allow users to zoom in, using topographic or aerial view, to investigate publically accessible land in any part of New Zealand. It also offers a ‘Tracks and Access Points’ view that shows physical tracks and other access points to the outdoors.

Other functions include an ‘Information Tool’ that can be used to view information about different access classifications or identify publically accessible land within up to 3km of any chosen location. Users can also make enquiries directly to the Commission about public access, use a ‘Draw’ tool to measure distances between various points, and print maps.

Further enhancements to the system’s functionality and usability will continue to be made in future.

ENDS

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