Story: Modern mapping and surveying

Kāingaroa plains baseline, 1914

This map, published in the Department of Lands and Survey’s 1914 annual report, shows the baseline on the Kāingaroa plains (in red) and the triangulation spreading from it. The baseline was established during 1912–13 as the basis for triangulation of a large area of the eastern North Island. It took the longest to measure of all New Zealand’s baselines – 49 days. It was hampered by a lack of water, which had to be carted in for both people and horses.

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Reference: Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1914, C-1A

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How to cite this page:

Melanie Lovell-Smith, 'Modern mapping and surveying - Geodetic triangulation', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/18898/kaingaroa-plains-baseline-1914 (accessed 27 April 2024)

Story by Melanie Lovell-Smith, published 24 Nov 2008, updated 1 Aug 2018