Invercargill, a city in New Zealand known for its quirky reputation and witty jabs from the likes of Mick Jagger, recently made headlines when its Council claimed the city had mysteriously disappeared from Google Maps. A Facebook post from the Council sparked intrigue, but they soon clarified that a simple zoom adjustment was all that was needed to locate the city on the map.
Despite Invercargill’s unintentional invisibility, surrounding towns, such as Gore and Bluff, appeared prominently, leading to some good-natured banter online. The Council cheekily responded, suggesting that anyone searching for them simply types, “That place near Bluff?” They embraced the situation with humour, recognising they’ve always been “Southland’s best-kept secret,” known for cheese rolls and the Burt Munro Challenge.
The Council reached out to Google for clarification regarding the issue, pondering whether it stemmed from a temporary glitch or a rival’s prank. Lisa Knight, a spokesperson for the Council, reassured the public that despite their lack of visibility on the platform, there’s still plenty to discover in Invercargill, including its famed hospitality and local attractions. This incident echoes past gaffes by tech giants misplacing other New Zealand locations, highlighting the quirks of digital maps.