Outdoor agencies collaborate to enhance track information
ACTIVITY: Managing and maintaining track and trail data
In June 2022 we signed a memorandum of understanding to contribute to the new Plan My Walk app developed by the NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC).
Both organisations had developed their own digital information platforms. For Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa this was ‘Find My Adventure’, and for the MSC this was ‘Plan My Walk’. Each offers benefits to walkers and other trail users. Find My Adventure provided mapping information about Aotearoa’s tracks and trails, with the goal to create a single national dataset. Whereas Plan My Walk was developed to enable improved planning and preparation for walking and tramping trips with the aim to reduce preventable outdoor safety incidents.
Chief executive Ric Cullinane says people want to see agencies that spend public money work together to create great public services.
“In this case, instead of possibly competing by developing similar apps, we can support the NZ Mountain Safety Council to create a great app that helps people explore the outdoors and be safe while they do it.”
Through the ongoing collaboration, it became evident that walkers would benefit from a single platform with all the information in one place: Plan My Walk.
Cullinane says the close working relationship with MSC meant it was a small step to come together to help grow Plan My Walk.
As part of the agreement, Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa will help fund MSC to complete further Plan My Walk development over the next two years. Additionally, Plan My Walk will incorporate many new tracks supplied by Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa and add new features available in Find My Adventure.
Find My Adventure will remain as a mapping solution to support the work of local communities such as trail trusts and Te Araroa website.
MSC chief executive Mike Daisley says collaborating on a single platform ensures walkers have access to the largest collection of tracks and trails data and the best access to safety information.
“It is a powerful example of how collaboration will always trump the solo and siloed approach.
“Plan My Walk has always been about partnerships and sharing data from a range of agencies to create one powerful platform. This collaboration with Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa is a great example of this.”