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Story: Magnetic field

Magnetic declination in New Zealand

Magnetic declination in New Zealand

Each location on earth has its own magnetic declination – the difference in angle between true north and the magnetic north pole. This map shows the magnetic declination to the east across New Zealand in December 2005. When navigating, compass bearings must be adjusted to compensate for the angle of declination.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: GNS Science

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How to cite this page

Tony Hurst, Magnetic field – The magnetic field and its direction, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/map/9217/magnetic-declination-in-new-zealand (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Tony Hurst, published 2 March 2009.

Comments

steve douglas
27 August 2023
Further to misleading terminology used the use of your article is limited to the numerical amount of deviation. You dont help the reader discover mag Sth. Ie subtract (or add) deviation based on which hemisphere. Not great work for an encylopedia!
Ralph Knox
05 April 2012
Your story:"Magnetic Field" incorrectly refers to the magnetic DEVIATION as DECLINATION. These are two different attributes of the earths magnetic field. If this information is to be used as described in your story you are referring to the DEVIATION. The declination is the angle from which the localised downward vertical component of the magnetic field varies from 90 degrees (i.e. a straight line vertically through the centre of the earth). The deviation is the angle (east or west)that the localised horizontal magnetic field varies from true north.