Joint Council-Google project brings District to Google Street View
A project between Whakatāne District Council and Google has enabled virtual tours of some of the District's most popular and spectacular destinations via Google Street View.
The project was the first of its kind in New Zealand, with Google loaning a ‘Trekker’ to the Council to capture Street View imagery. People can now explore White Island with Google Street View alongside some of the world’s great wonders, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Canyon, and Mt Everest.
Known to Māori as Whakaari, White Island is one of the world’s most accessible, continuously active marine volcanoes. The island’s awe inspiring landscape attracts sightseers from all over the world, fueling a tourism boom for Whakatāne, the ‘gateway to Whakaari’.
White Island is not the only local attraction to now feature on Google Street View. Armed with a Google Street View Trekker — an 18 kg, 15-camera backpack that takes high-quality 360-degree photos every 2.5 seconds — a team of local trekkers set out over summer to capture 35 kilometres of the Whakatāne District’s most iconic walks and landmarks. (A video of these local trekkers in action is available at the bottom of this page.)
Quintin Kerr standing on the saddle of Moutohorā (Whale Island) with the Google Street View TrekkerThe result is an immersive experience that will give prospective tourists a taste of what the Whakatāne District has to offer.
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What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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