Wellington, March 2 NZPA - Mistakes made in maps of the Ruahine Range can put trampers' lives at risk, the Manawatu Tramping Club says.

The latest official topographical map series included mistakes with tracks that have never existed or no longer exist, tracks put on the map in the wrong place, or tracks included that are no longer deemed safe to use, the Manawatu Standard reported.

The errors were discovered by chief guide Kim Fraser when she took some groups through the eastern side of the Ruahine Range.

Department of Conservation area manager Jason Roxburgh said the new maps had been created using the same technology as that used in GPS systems, mostly created by aerial photos.

He urged people who find mistakes to contact the department.

Land Information New Zealand, which produced the maps, said many tracks were hidden under native forest and therefore could not be seen from satellite imagery.

"We are reliant on up-to-date information being supplied to us from the Department of Conservation, tramping clubs, and individuals," its national topographer Geoff Howard said.

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