More Army training zones

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 365, 4 December 1990, Page 3

More Army training zones

The map of Waiouru Army Training Area's zones has been redrawn to allow more units to use the area and for easier definition of the zones. The number of zones will increase as from 1 January 1991 from 23 to 34 and the boundaries will follow natural features to avoid confusion over boundaries. The increase in zones has also been made possible through the purchase of more land east of the training area. A Waiouru ATG HQ spokesperson said some of the old zones were very large which meant in some cases a unit might have the zone booked but be only using a small portion of it. The new zones will better match the areas needed for exercises, he said, and allow more units to exercise with live firing at any one time. Access to the training

area for civilians for recreational use will not change said a Waiouru ATG HQ spokesman. He said it will still be possible for civilians to apply for access but that access will still be limited. He said the area is mainly set aside for training purposes, with off-duty army personnel taking priority for recreational use. "Locals must be aware that within the defence area there can be live firing at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and we don't stop for public holidays," said the spokesman. He said civilians can use the area but they have to apply, usually in writing, to the ATG HQ and in plenty of time before they want to use the area. The spokesman said the most popular time is in the deer roar, when they receive two to three requests a day from civilians.