The document explains how to read and write 14-figure New Zealand grid references. It breaks down grid references into their easting and northing components. It provides examples of writing grid references for features on maps of the Auckland and Waitakere areas.

1. How to read a 14 – figure New Zealand Grid Reference

2. A 6-figure grid reference is 6 numbers : made up of a 3 figure Easting (numbers along the bottom) and a 3 figure Northing (numbers up the side) The middle of Auckland Harbour Bridge = 660 840

3. A full grid reference is 14 numbers : made up of a 7 figure Easting (numbers along the bottom) and a 7 figure Northing (numbers up the side)

4. Method : 1 - The first two figures to write down are the first two numbers of the small blue reference written with E at the end of it. Often in the bottom left corner. Emerald Lakes, Tongariro National Park, April 2006.

5. 2 - The next two figures to write down are the usual grid numbers written horizontally on grid squares of the map.

6. 3 - The last three figures to write down represent the proportion of the square travelled to get to the required feature. Usually you imagine the square is split into tenths, INSTEAD imagine it is split into a THOUSAND!

7. So with reference to the AUCKLAND topographic map: The 6-figure Grid Reference for ▲Rangitoto is 762 887 …(The 3 rd and 6 th digits represent 10 th s of a square) The Easting (numbers along the horizontal axis) is 76 2 Now we will do… the 14-figure Grid Reference for ▲Rangitoto Easting : You would write 26 76 250 E (for east). Red Crater, Tongariro National Park, April 2006.

8. View SW towards Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, Tongariro National Park, April 2006. 4 - Then you need to follow the same method UP the map . The first two figures to write down are the first two numbers of the small blue reference written with a N at the end of it on the map. Often still in the bottom left hand corner.

9. 5 - The next two figures to write down are the usual grid numbers written VERTICALLY up the side of the map.

10. 3 - The last three figures to write represent the proportion of the square travelled up to get to the required feature. Usually you imagine the square is split into tenths, INSTEAD imagine it is split into a THOUSAND!

11. To finish 14 figure reference for ▲Rangitoto You would write e.g. 64 88 750 and add N for north.

12. View E towards Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, Tongariro National Park, April 2006. Final 14 figure reference for ▲Rangitoto: 26 76 250 E 64 88 750 N.

13. With reference to the Waitakere (1:50 000 260 Q11) topographic map use the following 14 figure grid references to locate features at: 1 – 2644050E 6460220N 2 – 2640900E 6471000N 3 – 2653450E 6471550N 4 – 2651000E 6480500N 5 – 2637450E 6484450N

14. With reference to the Waitakere (1:50 000 260 Q11) topographic map use the following 14 figure grid references to locate features at: 1 – 2644050E 6460220N – Ninepin Rock. 2 – 2640900E 6471000N – Lion Rock, Piha. 3 – 2653450E 6471550N – Arataki Visitor Centre. 4 – 2651000E 6480500N – Swanson railway station. 5 – 2637450E 6484450N – Motutara Island.

15. Now write your own 14 figure grid references to locate THREE other features of the Waitakere Ranges area: 1 - 26. . . . . E 64 . . . . . N 2 – 3 –