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Story: Modern mapping and surveying

Plan of Whanganui, 1875

This plan of Whanganui (then spelt Wanganui), published by Wise’s in 1875, is an early example of a street map. Street maps became more important as urbanisation increased. This map shows sections marked out in some areas, as well as significant businesses and organisations. As towns continued to grow, street maps no longer showed individual sections.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: MapColl 832.4199gmd/1875/Acc.15985

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Melanie Lovell-Smith, Modern mapping and surveying – A variety of maps, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/18914/plan-of-whanganui-1875 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Melanie Lovell-Smith, published 1 March 2009, updated 1 August 2018.