How to read a 14 – figure New Zealand Grid Reference

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

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)

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.

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

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!

So with reference to the AUCKLAND topographic map:

The 6-figure Grid Reference for ▲Rangitoto is 762 887 …(The 3rd and 6th digits represent 10ths of

a square) The Easting (numbers along the horizontal axis) is

762

Now we will do…the 14-figure Grid Reference for ▲Rangitoto

Easting: You would write 2676250E (for east).

Red Crater, Tongariro National Park, April 2006.

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.

5 - The next two figures to write down are the

usual grid numbers written

VERTICALLY up the side of

the map.

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!

To finish 14 figure

reference for ▲Rangitoto You would write e.g.

6488750 and add N for north.

View E towards Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, Tongariro National Park, April 2006.

Final 14 figure reference for ▲Rangitoto:2676250 E 6488750 N.

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

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.

Now write your own 14 figure grid references to locate THREE other features of the Waitakere Ranges area:

1 - 26. . . . . E 64 . . . . . N2 – 3 –

Now use the following 14 figure grid references to locate other features in and around Auckland:

1. 2669500E 6464000N2. 2668600E 6478900N3. 2672300E 6484300N4. 2674300E 6469200N

5. 2664200E 6485300N

1. 2669500E 6464000N – Runway at Auckland Airport2. 2666000E 6475100N – EGGS

3. 2672300E 6484300N – North Head4. 2674300E 6469200N – Middlemore Hospital

5. 2664200E 6485300N – Sugar Refinery

Now write your own 14 figure grid references to locate these 5 places:

1. The top of one tree hill2. The top of Rangitoto

3. The museum in Auckland Domain4. Eden Park

5. Bean Rock Lighthouse (North of Mission Bay)