How do you go tramping? As well as knowing what to take, you need to know a few skills.

First, you need to know how to read a topographical map. These maps require a bit more skill to read than your average road map. One of the best ways to learn map reading is to go tramping with somebody who knows how to read one and learn from them, or do shorter walks that you already know and stop to study the map every so often to determine how the symbols on the map relate to the terrain around you. The entirety of New Zealand is mapped out in 1:50,000 detail (that’s 2cm on the map to 1km in real life). You can see these maps (and print them) freely by visiting NZTopoOnline and you can also buy them at many outdoors shops.

Another important skill is reading a compass and/or using a GPS. These tools help you go in the right direction when you otherwise wouldn’t know which way to go (for example, in poor visibility conditions such as night-time or cloud). They are most useful in combination with a map. Shops like Mapworld can provide useful advice.

It’s also important to know how to use your tramping gear. Test these out before you go tramping. How do you put your tent up? How does your cooker work? Can you cook your food to a suitable edible standard with it? Will you get blisters from your boots? Is your pack comfortable enough? How far can you walk with a pack on without being totally knackered? A lot of this is experience that comes from trial and error. The best learning comes from other people’s trial and error, and you’ll find plenty of trampers willing to help you with the basics by joining a tramping club. See
our tramping and walking category for a good list of tramping clubs around New Zealand.

You might remember news, back in June, of a couple who wanted to name their son ‘4real.’ Yes, for real! Pat and Sheena Wheaton, of Wellington, settled on the name after seeing an ultrasound image and being hit by the reality of their unborn bub. Pat told media: “With this name, everyone knows what it means.” The New Zealand Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages didn’t see it their way; apparently names starting with numbers are against the rules and all unusual names must be considered on a case by case basis. So, 4real is still up in the air.

But just what’s in a New Zealand place name?

Land Information New Zealand provides accurate information on all New Zealand land areas and seabeds. Their site is a useful resource if you’re searching for geographic information, maps and topography, or names of New Zealand places and streets. It’s also interesting to see the criteria for naming a place. Generally:

• Historic, geographic or locally meaningful names are okay (including names of pioneers or early explorers)
• Names of living people cannot be used (usually a deceased person’s surname is used)
• Descriptive names can be used, as long as they’re not the same as a name in an adjacent area
• There are no double ups
• Names can be corrected if a spelling mistake or earlier name is discovered
• Offensive names are avoided

Anyone can suggest new names or alterations to existing place names. These are brought before the New Zealand Geographic Board who look at the origin, meaning and significance of the name. Who knew there was so much in a name?

If you’re looking for a place in New Zealand, you might want to check out our recently launched New Zealand Maps section.

We’re excited about the recent launch of a New Zealand Maps section on NZS.com, which we’ve already received good feedback on. One of the popular features is the ability to click (or link) directly to a city within NZ (e.g. North Shore Map) .

If you’re a regular user of the NZS.com search and directory, you will have seen a number of new additions turning up over the last few months. We’re happy to say that the addition of useful New Zealand related information is only going to increase as 2007 continues.

We’re always open to suggestions so if you have something you’d love to see on the NZS.com site, we have a dedicated Suggestion Box just for you. Let us know what you’re looking for!