Map My Wāhi: my place, my story (East Coast)

About this virtual field trip

In this virtual field trip, you'll learn how digital mapping technology, such as GPS, can help you:

• map historic sites
• learn more about historic pā sites
• conserve and record places of cultural significance
• monitor and protect the environment.

Introduction to Map My Waahi: my place, my story (East Coast)

Video series

Hungahungatoroa Pā site flyover

Main theme

• Google Earth flyover of the mapping points of historic Hungahungatoroa pā site.

Key takeaways

• Spatial information can reveal the layout and features of historic sites.
• Digital maps are useful tools for education, storytelling and preserving knowledge of wāhi taonga.

The Significance of Te Waha o Rerekohu

Featured expert: Hal Hovell, Historian.

Main themes

• The historical significance of Te Waha o Rerekohu.
• Understanding local history through place and landscape.
• Using digital mapping to tell stories about significant places.

Key takeaways

• Digital mapping can be used as a tool to document, share and preserve local stories and heritage.
• Understanding the cultural and historical significance of places helps build a stronger connection to local communities and landscapes.

Welcome to Wharehika

Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.

Main themes

• Basics of creating a digital map.
• Representing places meaningful to you in digital maps.
• Adding GPS, images, videos, lines and stories to a satellite image in Google My Maps.

Key takeaways

• Digital maps can be a faster and easier way to understand geographical features on a landscape.
• Digital maps can combine location data with images and information to tell different stories about a place.

Making maps

Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.

Main themes

• Using Google My Maps to map a location and add images and information.
• Learning mapping skills through hands-on activities.

Key takeaway

• You can easily create a map of a significant place and share it online using Google My Maps.

Gathering data for maps

Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.

Main themes

• Using a handheld GPS and 360 photos to gather data.
• Gathering good quality data is a critical first step in map making.
• Mapping combines both technical information and local knowledge of a place or wāhi.

Key takeaways

• Students can collect information from their local area to contribute to mapping projects.
• The type of data collected should match the story or purpose of the map being created.
• Data gathering can use a variety of methods.
• Field-based observation and data collection help create more meaningful and accurate maps.

How GPS works

Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.

Main themes

• Using GPS (Global Positioning System) to collect accurate location data.
• Connecting field data collection with map creation.
• Using technology to tell stories about places and landscapes.

Key takeaways

• GPS can identify precise locations on the Earth's surface by measuring the distance between satellites and a location.
• GPS makes it easier to record, explore and communicate geographical and cultural information.
• Students can use their phones to collect GPS data and create maps, using tools such as Google My Maps.

Conservation Work at Wharekahika

Featured expert: Graeme Atkins, Department of Conservation (DOC).

Main themes

• Conservation work at Wharekahika/Hicks Bay and the local environment.
• Using GPS and maps to locate and check pest traps to protect local wildlife and plants.
• How mapping technology supports conservation efforts.

Key takeaways

• Mapping can be used as a tool to understand where species live and monitor environmental damage and change.
• Mapping is a key tool in conservation.

Mapping Changes Over Time

Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.

Main themes

• Using mapping technology to monitor environmental change.
• Collecting location based data with GPS and smartphones.
• Deciding on which data is valuable to gather.
• Understanding how data can support conservation activities.
• Exploring changes over time in a local environment.

Key takeaways

• Students can use GPS on their smartphones to gather field data.
• Mapping different types of data can be collected to build a complete picture of environmental health and change.
• Data gathered in the field can be used to support conservation and management decisions.

From Data Gathering to Map Making

Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.

Main themes

• Turning field data from GPS into simple, practical maps.
• Monitoring environmental changes over time.

Key takeaways

• Mapping collected data of a place on Google Maps can help you monitor changes to that place.
• Simple mapping tools can help visualise information, track changes useful for conservation.

A journey to Hungahungatoroa Pā

Main theme

• Exploring significant local heritage sites and understanding their historical importance.

Key takeaways

• Mapping helps record, preserve and share knowledge about culturally significant places.
• Historic places are often located in remote or less accessible areas, highlighting the need for careful management and documentation.

Looking back in time at Hungahungatoroa Pā

Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.

Main themes

• Understanding what a pā site looked like during the 1860s.
• Using imagination and evidence to interpret historical places.

Key takeaways

• Observation of a site helps students gather evidence to understand the use of historical places.

Mapping Hungahungatoroa Pā

Main themes

• Mapping as a way to tell local stories and preserve history.
• Student involvement in documenting and understanding local heritage.
• Using GPS and Google Earth to present a slideshow on a historic site.

Key takeaways

• Mapping can be more than a technical exercise. It can help capture stories, cultural knowledge and community connections.
• Place based learning strengthens relationships between learners, their community and their whenua.

Mapping the future

Featured expert: Duane Wilkins, Geospatial Specialist, LINZ.

Main themes

• The future of mapping technology and how it is evolving over time.
• How mapping tools can support teaching and classroom activities.
• How mapping tools are valuable for conservation and mapping historic locations.

Key takeaways

• Mapping is a valuable tool for learning, conservation and mapping historic locations.
• Smartphones, virtual reality and satellite imagery will be important tools used by students.

Core messages from the video series

1. Maps can tell stories and preserve cultural heritage

Mapping is not just about places and coordinates. It can capture stories, history and connections to whenua. This preserves wāhi taonga and local heritage for future generations.

2. Mapping supports conservation and environmental stewardship

Mapping helps monitor environmental change, locate plants, animals and pests, record information and supports decisions to protect places.

3. Anyone can contribute to mapping

Students and communities can collect data using smartphones, GPS devices, observations, photos and local knowledge. Mapping combines technical skills with lived experience and community knowledge.

4. Spatial technology helps connect people to their place

Understanding the cultural, historical and environmental significance of places strengthens connections between communities and landscapes.

5. Digital mapping makes places easier to understand and share

Tools such as GPS, Google My Maps, Google Earth, images and videos help people visualise landscapes, explore geographic features and share this information in engaging ways.

Overall LINZ connection

• Why location information matters
• How maps are created and used.
• The role of GPS and GIS in land records and conservation management.

More resources

Find resources related to field trips and location information:

Resources for LEARNZ virtual field trips