An electronic Maori tourism map for New Zealand's southern regions has taken another step forward with its launch as a special download for mobile phones.
A Tikitour map was launched on the internet four months ago to showcase indigenous tourism companies and cultural experiences in Otago and Southland.
Three Otago polytechnic students have now turned the website into a downloadable application for smartphones, first for the Android system, and soon for Apple iPhones.
Chairman of the Southern Maori Business Network, KUMA, Richard Kerr-Bell, says it was always the goal to have a mobile version of the map, but the network couldn't afford it until the students came forward.
Mr Kerr-Bell says 1000 people have so far viewed the Tikitour map online, and he expects the number of users to grow exponentially now it is available on tourists' mobile phones.
