Mirror for New Zealanders: A Descriptive Atlas Reviewed

Summary

This article provides a comprehensive critical review of 'A Descriptive Atlas of New Zealand', published in 1959. The author begins by noting that while the atlas is well-produced, its purpose is ambiguous, as it is neither an ideal academic reference nor a fully qualified national atlas. The review then systematically examines defects in the atlas's binding, map content, text, and illustrations. Criticisms include the full binding hindering map updates and flat use, inappropriate map scales, outdated or over-generalized information, and inconsistent symbolization. The text section is criticized for verbosity, unclear phrasing, and missing crucial dates. Despite acknowledging merits such as excellent printing and some original maps, the article concludes that the atlas falls short of national standards. The author suggests that to achieve true national atlas status, a complete recasting with loose-leaf maps and comprehensive coverage of New Zealand's physical, human, and economic geography is necessary.