Google Announces Google Maps New Zealand

Google Announces Google Maps New Zealand

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – 12 December 2007 - Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today launched the Google Maps™ New Zealand service at maps.google.co.nz, enabling users in New Zealand to find the local information they want more easily. In addition to map and satellite images, the expanded service includes New Zealand business listings, driving directions, the ability for New Zealanders to create, share, personalise and annotate maps as well as support for Google Maps for mobile.

The launch of Google Maps New Zealand is helpful for businesses who want to provide information about their Web pages to users searching within a local area. Google Maps New Zealand contains comprehensive local business listings from apnfinda Ltd and www.finda.co.nz.

For example, Christchurch residents searching for a mechanic in their neighbourhood can simply enter the keyword [mechanic], plus their suburb into the search field to receive a list of nearby mechanics. Each result is accompanied by a phone number, street address and links to related websites such as those of other mechanic services in the area and further useful information.

New Zealand businesses can also add their listings for free via the Local Business Centre. Companies can easily add or edit information whenever they like, without worrying about dated content or publishing deadlines. Companies don't need a website to add a business listing.

The launch is also good news for advertisers. Google AdWords™ advertisers can now reach customers searching for businesses, products and services in New Zealand using locally targeted advertisements.

Google Maps New Zealand contains popular features that enable New Zealanders to create, share, personalise and annotate maps, such as:

• My Maps, which enable users to quickly and easily create personalised maps and share with friends and family anytime. Users can mark locations on a
map from a wide-selection of icons, draw lines and shapes, add text, photos or YouTube ™ videos;
• Mapplets, which are mini-applications that enable users to add valuable third-party content directly on Google Maps with a single click. Users can save their customised maps to their personal library. This makes it easy for users to view and integrate different tools and maps, containing information such as distance measurement, hiking trails, events and photos.
• Numerous other features such as the ability to write and read business reviews, embed maps in other websites and much more.

"Google Maps New Zealand combines extensive business listings and relevant information from across the web to give New Zealand users a powerful and easy-to-use source to access the vast array of local information they need," said Carl Sjogreen, Group Product Manager, Google Australia & New Zealand. "Google Maps is the ultimate platform for viewing, creating, personalising and sharing local information and we're thrilled to bring it to our New Zealand users."

People who are out and about can also search and find all of this useful local information on their mobile phone at www.google.co.nz/gmm. The dynamic mapping feature provides them with a simple way to find location and local business information and then navigate around the map from their mobile device. Google's recently announced My Location technology enables New Zealand users to approximate their location on their mobile phone and view surrounding local businesses.

About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

ENDS

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