Community Findings

May 2024

Investigating Preferred Navigation Tools in New Zealand's Outdoors

In May, we asked our Adventure Voice research community which navigation tools they use in the outdoors. With a better understanding of the tools people are using, we can create and deliver content that helps outdoor participants identify potential pitfalls with their tool of choice, and mitigate these with quality preparation and planning.

Core Findings

91% of 771

survey respondents said they use a mapping app on their phones to help with navigation.

72% of 771

survey respondents said they used a printed map to help with navigation.

 

Phone Apps Overtake Traditional Map and Compass

We received over 700 responses, showing that phone apps are edging out the traditional map and compass for navigation. These results indicate a need for safety advice around protecting phones from damage, monitoring the battery and always having a backup.

Of the 771 respondents, 91% use a mapping app always (34%) or sometimes (57%), as opposed to 72% that either always (33%), sometimes (39%) or seldom (14%) take a map. Asked how frequently they carry a compass, 26% of respondents said never, while 59% said always (35%) or sometimes (24%).  

Read our media release on this survey here.

 

Tramper in an open grass valley with mountain in background


August 2024

Adapting on the Track: How Common is it to Change Plans in the Outdoors?

Our August Adventure Voice survey investigated how many respondents had changed their plans during an outdoor adventure and the factors leading to this decision. We set out to prioritise areas for enhanced safety messaging and identify education opportunities to help outdoor participants effectively monitor conditions on the go, and confidently make decisions around changing plans.

Core Findings

92% of 882

respondents said yes, they have changed their plans while on an outdoor adventure.

Of those who said no,

33% of respondents

have had an experience where they wished in hindsight they had changed their plans.

The two main factors influencing this decision, or leading people to wish they had changed their plans in hindsight, were:

  • Weather conditions deteriorating (62%)
  • Taking longer than expected (23%)

Notably, those doing a short walk were much more likely to change their plans due to track or warning signage (11%) than those on other adventures (5%).

 

Key Factors Prompting Plan Changes: Poor Weather and Underestimating Track Duration

We were pleased to see that 'changing plans on the go' is a very common occurrence in the outdoors. This survey confirms that at some point, most people will be in a situation where they will need to do this. Being prepared to change plans is essential and we have identified the following safety behaviours to promote:

  • Check and understand the weather before leaving home.
  • Prepare for deteriorating weather.
  • Better gauge how long a track might take them.
  • Assess the conditions while on the track so they can decide whether to continue or turn back, and be able to do so safely.
  • Planning and identifying decision-making points on a track.
  • Awareness of the ‘commitment’ heuristic trap and methods to avoid it.