New Zealand Recreational GPS Society

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Thursday, June 29, 2006

Walking Access Consultation Panel
PO Box 2526
Wellington

To Whom It May Concern:

In May 2000, President Clinton signed a declaration removing Selective Availability from the Global Positioning System (GPS). Overnight, this allowed GPS receivers to be used in many more recreational situations in New Zealand, as they were now accurate to 5-10 metres. Previously, with Selective Availability, the error introduced hundreds of metres of inaccuracy. This increase in accuracy suddenly made it possible to repeatedly return to the same location, and to use GPS receivers for more accurate navigation.

The first stage of a new regional park has been opened in Canterbury on the banks of the Waimak river. When fully completed in 2012, the park will cover around 11,000 hectares. The main activities supported will be mountain-biking and hiking, but I dare say a few geocaches may appear there in the not to distant future. At this stage, only 10km of MTB track is available.