German newspaper misplaces New Zealand on world map

The map in the German newspaper places New Zealand off the southeastern coast of Japan.
The map in the German newspaper places New Zealand off the southeastern coast of Japan. Photo credit: Reddit

A German newspaper covering the Whakaari/White Island eruption has misplaced New Zealand on a world map.

In a photo posted on Reddit, the unnamed newspaper places New Zealand off the southeastern coast of Japan, even though the country can be easily seen next to Australia on the map.

Not only that, but Gisborne and Hamilton are listed among the main centres and Auckland is left out.

One commenter on the thread was happy that Hamilton was "getting the worldwide recognition it deserves".

"Warms my heart to see Auckland left off the map," said a second user.

But another was happy to be included, saying "at least we're on the map," and referencing the popular subreddit Maps Without NZ.

New Zealand is missed off maps around the world, including the United Nations' logo, the Risk board game map, a water feature at a Universal Studios theme park and an Ikea artwork.

The United Nations logo.
The United Nations logo. Photo credit: File
The Risk board game map.
The Risk board game map. Photo credit: Pinterest
A Universal Studios water feature.
A Universal Studios water feature. Photo credit: File
A map Ikea produced and sold.
A map Ikea produced and sold. Photo credit: Ikea

Being left off maps was also the subject of a segment on comedian John Oliver's television show Last Week Tonight, and he offered a solution for New Zealand's problem. He suggests people print out an image of the country and "add it to any map that needs it".

Aotearoa was also purposefully left off a map in August designed by a Reddit user, who did it hoping to "trigger" everyone.

"It's funny how the best way to trigger New Zealand is to not put them on a map," one comment said.

Tourism New Zealand ran a campaign in 2018 to get the country on maps, starring Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and comedian Rhys Darby.