Online map helps Kiwis find services

9 Sep 2010, 5:19 am   -   Source: AAP
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A Google Map has been created by a Wellington man to help people in quake-hit Canterbury find out what services and shops are open.

A Google Map has been created by a Wellington man to help people in Canterbury find out what services and shops are open, and what roads and bridges are closed, following Saturday's devastating 7.1 earthquake and its hundreds of aftershocks.

Anyone can add information to the map, which is continuously being updated.

The Google Map, which can easily be found at www.mapquake.co.nz, contains around 150 points of interest and had more than 30,000 visitors yesterday.

Map creator David Knight said although he lives in Wellington, he wanted to find some way of assisting quake victims.

He was aware similar technology was used extensively during other international crises, such as the Haitian earthquake and Australia's Victorian bushfires, so he thought he'd kickstart one for Canterbury.

"The great thing about this map is that everyone with internet access can view it and contribute to it," said Knight.

"It's a resource for people who live in Canterbury, but these same people can actually add content. In fact, it's the locals who have the most accurate, up-to-date information, so there is no one else better placed to do it."

Knight said anything from points of interest, to movies and photos could be added.

"For example, the map currently shows where police the cordon is, where people can find port-a-loos, welfare centres, free wi-fi hot spots and food retailers - but anything can be added and it's easy to do.

"If locals see something and think their neighbours, family or friends need to know about it - they can go to www.mapquake.co.nz , use their Google user name to sign in, select 'edit', click on the blue pin point at the top of the map and place it where their point of interest is."

Knight said while councils were doing a great job, they were stretched to maximum capacity at the moment and could not possibly capture and publish every piece of information, but with the map everyone could contribute.

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