A Decade of Experience Using a New Zealand Geographic Information System

The experience of converting the NZLRI, a national physical land resource data base at the 1:63,360 scale comprising 320 maps, to a GIS has illustrated many of the problems and advantages associated with the use of this software system. Experience has shown that commercial (rather than custom built software), is the most effective and that a close physical relationship between the mappers and the interpreters of large data sets provides the most effective interpretive system.     

Providing the evidence: Geographic accessibility of maternity units in New Zealand

Abstract:  Public health planners should be providing evidence to the public that maternity units are fairly distributed. This research demonstrates how a Geographical Information System (GIS) can be used to provide information on travel time to the closest maternity unit from the 38 000 population census enumeration districts in New Zealand. The distribution of accessibility is mapped and regions and population groups that appear under-serviced are highlighted. We conclude by stating that GIS accessibility models provide important evidence for health policy and that the information generated from these models should be routinely produced for a wide range of health services and communicated to the public.     

New Developments in Geographic Education

Abstract

An important landmark event in the history of aerial photography in the United States occurred in the 1980s. The entire conterminous 48 state area was photographed for the first time at two uniform scales and in two emulsions. A second cycle of coverage of the same area was begun in 1987 and will be completed in 1992. These photographs are a valuable resource in all fields of geography because they are linked to the U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute series of quadrangles. They also will display all parts of the conterminous U.S. at two recent periods of time, thereby facilitating change detection analysis studies. Color infrared and black-and-white prints on paper are available and will be useful for stereoscopic examination as well as standard measurements and interpretation. The use of diapositives and color transparencies in readily available projection devices is described and a classroom example of their use is portrayed. Sources for these photographs and ordering procedures are indicated.