• Android phones and tablets — you can purchase books in the Google Play Store and begin reading them instantly in the Google Play Books app;
  • your computer — you can purchase and read books on the Google Play store and read in your web browser;
  • iPhones and iPads — you will be able to read books in the Google Play Books app
In the last year, we introduced Google Play, a digital entertainment hub where you can find, enjoy and share your favourite apps and games on your Android phone or tablet. Today we’re adding books to Google Play for people in New Zealand. Books on Google Play now offers thousands of titles, from new releases to bestsellers and classics. It's easy to find great books from local authors such as Chocolate Cake for Breakfast by Danielle Hawkins, Guerilla Season by Paul Thomas and a host of other NZ authors - along with international bestsellers from the world’s largest ebookstore.
With Google Play you can read on the device of your choice. And with your books in the cloud you can read on the web, a phone, or a tablet and pick up right where you left off. You will be able to discover, purchase and read books on:
  • Android phones and tablets — you can purchase books in the Google Play Store and begin reading them instantly in the Google Play Books app;
  • your computer — you can purchase and read books on the Google Play store and read in your web browser;
  • iPhones and iPads — you will be able to read books in the Google Play Books app
We’re happy to make it even easier for all Kiwi book lovers to discover and buy whatever they want to read, whether that’s the next bestseller, a new release from their favourite author or a well-loved classic. Whether you’re a bookworm or casual reader, we hope you find something great to read on Google Play.

Posted by Scott Dougall, Product Manager





Last week, the Google Sydney office played host to 36 Anita Borg Memorial scholars and finalists from across Asia Pacific. These young computer science stars from Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Thailand, Singapore and India, as well as Australia and New Zealand, spent the week listening to tech talks, building autonomous fighter robots and attending a series of networking and social events.  


Killer robots in action

After spending the last few days with these women and seeing their enthusiasm and talent for computer science, we’re looking forward to seeing where their careers take them. Our three Australian winners, Vinita Nahar from Brisbane, Georgina Wilcox and Julia Wong from Sydney, are already well on their way. 

2013 Anita Borg scholarship winners Julia Wong, Vinita Naha and Georgina Wilcox

Vinita, a PHD student at Queensland University, is creating software that can detect cyber bullies from their online communication patterns. Georgina, a PHD student at Sydney University, is developing programs to help ecologists better understand the migratory patterns of birds. And Julia, a first year student at the University of Technology Sydney, is already a seasoned public speaker, going out to schools around NSW to let students know just how many career opportunities there are for computer science graduates.


2013 Anita Borg finalists and winners at the Sydney retreat

The Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship is an award designed to encourage women to excel in computing and technology and become active role models and leaders. It was established to honour the legacy of Anita Borg, an American computer scientist who worked to dismantle the barriers that keep women and minorities from entering the computing and technology fields. Since the program began in 2004, more than $2.5 million has been awarded to more than 800 students in Australia, New Zealand, The United States, Canada and Europe.

Congratulations and good luck to all the winners and finalists. You’ve got exciting careers ahead of you. For more information on all our scholarships, visit the Google Scholarships site.

Posted by Valley Mein, Tech Staffing Programs Specialist, Australia & New Zealand  







Today we’re making our Street View coverage in New Zealand more up-to-date, by publishing new imagery of the North and South Islands. The new panoramic imagery includes major cities, such as Auckland and Christchurch, along with hundreds of kilometres filled with breathtaking mountains, coastal roads and snow capped peaks.
Whether you’re planning a trip for the weekend or trying to entice overseas guests to visit New Zealand, you can now discover and share the most northern point, the tranquil Mission Bay, the mighty Mount Ruapehu or even drop by some vineyards around Blenheim.






The updated imagery will also help you navigate more easily through urban areas like Auckland and Christchurch, reflecting recent changes within certain areas in both cities. So, whether you’re choosing between different restaurants for dinner or deciding which hotel to stay in for a business trip, it’s now easier to find what you need to find and get to where you need to go.
Over the last month, we’ve been working on some other mapping projects as part of our ongoing efforts to provide Kiwis with the most accurate, comprehensive and easy-to-use maps. In August, we started our journey through two of New Zealand’s magnificent Great Walks using Trekker and just last weekend we worked alongside the citizens of Christchurch to make thousands of edits to local business information in the city’s CBD.
We hope you enjoy taking a virtual drive through New Zealand’s beautiful landscapes. Happy exploring!


Posted by Nabil Naghdy, Product Manager of Google Maps, New Zealand


Since the February 2011 earthquake, it has been tough for Christchurch residents to find accurate and reliable information about which local businesses have closed and which new businesses have opened. To help ensure that Christchurch’s maps remain useful for locals and residents alike, we helped bring together local community groups to host a “Map Up” event last Saturday, during which locals could contribute their knowledge about the current state of the city to Google Maps.
For everyday tasks like trying to choose a place for dinner or driving through the CBD, having up-to-date and accurate maps is really important. Nothing spoils a romantic evening more than turning up to find that the restaurant you wanted to visit is no longer open.

Since the February 2011 earthquake, it has been tough for Christchurch residents to find accurate and reliable information about which local businesses have closed and which new businesses have opened. To help ensure that Christchurch’s maps remain useful for locals and residents alike, we helped bring together local community groups to host a “Map Up” event last Saturday, during which locals could contribute their knowledge about the current state of the city to Google Maps.
More than 30 Cantabrians volunteered their time to help rebuild the map of the Christchurch CBD. The citizen cartographers split into pairs and roamed the city with their smartphones to report changes around the city, submitting more than 1000 edits about local businesses.

These updates will now be reflected on Google Maps globally, making it easier for tourists and locals to get to where they need to go. As Christchurch continues to rebuild, we hope this community of avid mappers will continue to submit edits and keep Christchurch’s map up-to-date.

You don’t need to be a tech expert to help rebuild the map of Christchurch; anyone can do it and it only takes a second. If you see something that’s new or needs to be updated when you’re using the latest Google Maps, simply shake your phone to send us feedback or try out Google Map Maker from your computer.

Posted by Nabil Naghdy, Product Manager for Google Maps, New Zealand