SCALE MODEL MAP FOR RUAPEHU REGION

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 12, 21 August 1984, Page 1

SCALE MODEL MAP FOR RUAPEHU REGION

The Ruapehu region will possibly soon have a scale model topographical map of the area similar to the very popular 3-dimensional map of the Wanganui River now on permanent display at the Wanganui Hospitality Visitors' Centre. The proposed holiday and recreation map of the Ruapehu region will, if it receives the support of the business community, be commissioned from the same model-maker ~ Mr Milton Johnson of Rotorua — who has made both the Wanganui and Turangi Information Centre maps. The table top map, which is true-to-scale in both its vertical and lateral dimensions, will measure 2.02 x 1.67 metres. It will take in an area from the southern shores of Lake

Taupo in the north to Pipiriki and the Wanganui River in the west, Waiouru and the Kaimanawas in the east, and the Waimarino townships of Ohakune and Raetihi in the south. The initial holiday map proposal, which was presented to the Ohakune Borough Council at last month's meeting, did not include Pipiriki within its profile lines but the committee felt that the inclusion of Pipiriki was essential to the tourist potential of the area and asked that the lines be extended. One of the functions the proposed map will perform is the quick identification and location of any geographical feature within the map area. All the visitor has to do is to push any one of the 18

named location buttons around the edge of the map and — hey-presto — the feature is illuminated. Each of these buttons is set in a small display panel and, as the button is pushed and the feature is illuminated, so is the panel which carries promotional information/ photographs etc about facilities in the area. These display panels are being offered to businesses and other organisations for a fee which is aimed to recoup the cost of the map. If the business community supports this project — and early indications are that the display panels are selling well — the map will be installed in the new Ruapehu Region Information Office and Automobile Agency in Clyde Street, Ohakune, next door to the Waimarino Bulletin office.