Need2Know: New Pocket Maps app helps walkers

New Pocket Maps app helps walkers explore

By Olivia Murray

Mapping and GIS Analyst Danica Torres has loved GIS since she was at university. There she discovered its ability to help her fellow students find dry, north facing flats with good access to public transport. From there it became her career.

Now she works for Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa the New Zealand Walking Access Commission building maps of public access areas and walking trails around the motu. So, when she started seeing requests from map users around the country to take the maps offline and use them outdoors, she was inspired to help.

Danica says the commission receives many requests from trampers, hunters, anglers and mountain bikers to have the ability to download maps for offline use.

Luckily, a recent update in the commission’s GIS system made this possible. Danica used this new technology to create a new app in collaboration with the commission’s GIS partner, Eagle Technology.

The app, called Pocket Maps, brings offline public access maps of New Zealand to the pockets of Kiwi walkers and recreationists, anytime and anywhere.

Danica has been developing, testing, and perfecting the app for eight months. The 2021 lockdown made app creation even easier as it allowed her to focus on just the app and make sure it was perfect for launch.

Pocket Maps lets you search your exact location by region and through the map layers to understand what type of access land you are currently on or looking to walk, hunt, fish or mountain bike.

The app can help to limit accidental trespassing and provide users with knowledge about new areas.

As well as helping users identify private and public land, it can also show walkers where nearby NZ road parcels, reserve land, walkway easements and other easements, esplanade strips and reserves, and Department of Conservation public land are located.

Other features allow people using the app to draw and measure their own routes and position themselves on the map using their phone GPS.

“It’s great to give users something they have been asking for and see them enjoying it. And people also have the option in the app to give their feedback so we can continue to make improvements for the users,” says Danica.

Pocket Maps is available to download now from the Apple App Store and Android Play Store.

Please note that Pocket Maps is not a substitute for a GPS unit and should be used in conjunction with one if going into an outdoor situation that requires it.

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