This Town Vanished from the Map Overnight—Is Yours Next? Find Out Why the Council is Alarmed!
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Imagine waking up one day to find that your town has seemingly vanished from the map. That's exactly what happened to the residents of Invercargill, a city in the Southland region of New Zealand when it mysteriously disappeared from Google Maps. The Invercargill City Council took to Facebook to share their bewilderment, humorously suggesting that locals might need to start referring to their home as 'That place near Bluff?' to find it online.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out that Invercargill hadn't vanished into thin air; locating it on the map simply required a bit more digital effort. Yet, the incident raised eyebrows as smaller nearby towns like Gore and Bluff were given greater prominence on Google Maps, appearing before the city famously associated with former mayor Tim Shadbolt.
The council's Facebook post was tinged with good-natured humour, as they quipped about being Southland's 'best-kept secret' and the 'cheese roll capital,' hosting events like the Burt Munro Challenge. They even playfully accused Google of trying to 'gatekeep this paradise' and made a lighthearted jab at Gore, threatening a future of stale cheese rolls without garlic butter for the culprit behind their digital disappearance.
The community's response was equally jovial, with some residents embracing the idea of Invercargill as a hidden gem best kept away from the prying eyes of the world. Others offered imaginative explanations for the city's map mishap, ranging from unpaid Google maintenance fees to the notion that local rates would cover the cost of returning Invercargill to the map.
Lisa Knight, a spokesperson for the Invercargill City Council, told media outlet Stuff that they were uncertain whether the omission was a temporary glitch or the result of 'subterfuge by one of our rivals.' The council has since reached out to Google to restore Invercargill's rightful place on the map and to uncover the reasons behind its sudden drop-off.
Despite the map mishap, Knight reassured everyone that Invercargill remains alive and kicking. The city's famous cheese rolls are still being enjoyed, its southern hospitality is as warm as ever, and Henry the tuatara stands proud in his new habitat at Te Moutere Tuatara Island in Queens Park.
This isn't the first time a tech giant has misplaced New Zealand locales. In 2012, Apple Maps erroneously located Dunedin International Airport in the city centre and Timaru Airport in a Christchurch suburb, both errors occurring during a software update.
As we await Google's response to Invercargill's vanishing act, one can't help but wonder about the reliability of digital maps and the potential consequences of such errors. Could your town be the next to disappear from view, and what would that mean for tourism, navigation, and local pride?
We at the Seniors Discount Club invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with digital mapping blunders. Have you ever been led astray by a GPS, or has your hometown been given the cold shoulder by online cartographers? Join the conversation and let us know how you navigate these digital dilemmas!
Upon closer inspection, it turned out that Invercargill hadn't vanished into thin air; locating it on the map simply required a bit more digital effort. Yet, the incident raised eyebrows as smaller nearby towns like Gore and Bluff were given greater prominence on Google Maps, appearing before the city famously associated with former mayor Tim Shadbolt.
Invercargill City’s disappearance from Google Maps was humorously reported on Facebook. Credit: travellinglight / iStock
The council's Facebook post was tinged with good-natured humour, as they quipped about being Southland's 'best-kept secret' and the 'cheese roll capital,' hosting events like the Burt Munro Challenge. They even playfully accused Google of trying to 'gatekeep this paradise' and made a lighthearted jab at Gore, threatening a future of stale cheese rolls without garlic butter for the culprit behind their digital disappearance.
The community's response was equally jovial, with some residents embracing the idea of Invercargill as a hidden gem best kept away from the prying eyes of the world. Others offered imaginative explanations for the city's map mishap, ranging from unpaid Google maintenance fees to the notion that local rates would cover the cost of returning Invercargill to the map.
Lisa Knight, a spokesperson for the Invercargill City Council, told media outlet Stuff that they were uncertain whether the omission was a temporary glitch or the result of 'subterfuge by one of our rivals.' The council has since reached out to Google to restore Invercargill's rightful place on the map and to uncover the reasons behind its sudden drop-off.
Despite the map mishap, Knight reassured everyone that Invercargill remains alive and kicking. The city's famous cheese rolls are still being enjoyed, its southern hospitality is as warm as ever, and Henry the tuatara stands proud in his new habitat at Te Moutere Tuatara Island in Queens Park.
This isn't the first time a tech giant has misplaced New Zealand locales. In 2012, Apple Maps erroneously located Dunedin International Airport in the city centre and Timaru Airport in a Christchurch suburb, both errors occurring during a software update.
As we await Google's response to Invercargill's vanishing act, one can't help but wonder about the reliability of digital maps and the potential consequences of such errors. Could your town be the next to disappear from view, and what would that mean for tourism, navigation, and local pride?
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