The MAPsport SHOP
23 St James Ave, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand Phone 027 232 4310
Ordering and Payment: MAPsport doesn't have a virtual shopping cart. It has an old-fashioned human being. Send an email to if its cut and dried, or phone up and ask questions. We'll include an invoice and you can pay when the goods arrive. The bank account is 020528 0349665-02, the account name is "Wood, Michael John trading as MAPsport Services" but you can probably get away with "Michael Wood" or "MAPsport". More details about paying... Bargain Bin! New and used shoes, clothing, mapholders, list as at August 2025 but stock changes continually. (Includes retired orienteer's equipment. Can we sell something for you?)

MAPsport NEWS

Just in time for Christmas 15 Dec 25, update 30 March
The best (Model 9*E) Moscow compasses and the cheapest (Model 22) have all sold soon after arrival, but we have just received some more. We have reasonable stock of the popular Models 3 and 8, the best for most people including secondary school students. Supply is still rationed - and this is not a trick to goad you into buying. Buy for your needs. Donations to Ukraine are up to date as of 30 Nov. And 31 Dec. And 30 March.

We Have More..., 4 July 25, update 30 Sep
After 6 months, we received some thumb compasses in late June. Initially the Moscow Model 8's all went to our waiting list, but we also got Model 3's (degrees). Update 30 Sep: a couple more shipments allow us to offer a limited number of Model 22's (beginner), Model 8's (colours) and Model 9*E's (top model). A full range for the first time this year! It's trite but "be in while stocks last!" Donations to Ukraine are up to date as of 31 July. And 31 Aug. And 30 Sep.

Out of Compasses Again, 14 Mar 25
We regret to advise we're completely out of thumb compasses. You may know that we prefer Moscow Compass (AKA O-Compass), the full story is in the news below. Our last order is stuck in Russia. All we can do is record your interest, and advise when when we get more. We're the shop that pioneered thumb compasses in NZ remember. PS Donations to Ukraine are up to date as of 28 Feb.

Welcome to 2025, 4 Jan
And a special welcome to visitors to the Oceania Champs. MAPsport will be onsite, except for the Taranaki pre-events. As the war in Ukraine nears 3 years, let's remember that Moscow Compass (elsewhere badged "O-Compass") is supposed to attract a 35% import duty. We build it into our prices, and send it off to Red Cross in Ukraine. With your donations and a per-compass contribution from our margins, the total is approaching 5 figures.

March of Time, 6 Jun 24
MAPsport is up with the play. From the first OCAD user in Australia or NZ to the first o-shop to support Ukraine. (Yes we're up to date with donations.) But some things have outlived their usefulness. We're killing off the landline - page headers now have our mobile number. But good traditions will remain - like Langfords Store at Bainham which we recently revisited. Still going strong. Wonder if they still have a landline...

Sitting Down, 5 Apr 24
A cleanout has uncovered a collection of brand-new Swedish telescopic 3-legged stools, and the owner wants the proceeds to go to "a good cause". Made of aluminium yet said to support 400kg this is a quality product. On sale at $40 with 100% going to ONZ for junior camps. And talking of good causes, we've just sent off our March donations (including Easter) to Red Cross for use in Ukraine.

Looking Up, 6 Dec 23; updated 13 Mar
We just got a new shipment of Moscow compasses, and the distributor is sounding much more positive about future supply. Which is just as well, because we recently checked out the other main brands available for NZ. They still misbehave unless perfectly level - how can you orienteer like that??? We do have to announce an increase in the magnifier attachment - but at $50 it's around half the price of those other brands. As the "joyous" season approaches, spare a thought for Ukraine where we hope our contributions are helping some suffering. Edit: Donations to Ukraine are up to date as of 29 Feb.

More Compasses, 20 Sep 23, updated 2 Dec
For the first time in six months we have our full range of Moscow compasses. But shipments are limited to what the excellent Latvian distibutor can supply. Reminder that our prices include not only the 35% Putin duty, but also $10 from our own margins sent to Ukraine. We pray for an end to the conflict. Donations to Ukraine are up to date as of 30 Sep. And 31 Oct. And 30 Nov.

Sore Thumb Again, 3 Jul 23, Updated 31 Aug
We sold our limited stock of Moscow 3, 8 and 9*E before and during Kings Birthday weekend. These are the best thumb compasses unfortunately. Edit - Since then we received some Model 3 and 8, and more are expected in a few weeks. Keep in touch, we'll record your interest and advise when we get more. If you're looking for beginner compasses we have limited stock of the Model 22. Just to add to the mix, NZ Post changed parcel prices on 1 July. They are calling them "simpler" but what they mean is "higher". When we put prices up, we say so in plain language. Donations to Ukraine are up to date as of 30 June. And 31 July. And 31 Aug.

Out of Compasses, 11 May 23, updated 31 May
We ran out of thumb compasses in April - completely. A major blow for the shop that started up to supply them! We've been recording un-met orders and today received limited stock - much less than required. Prices have risen, and our exchange rate has slipped since last time. I predict ongoing hiccups. Please make sure your order is by email and we'll process them in sequence. A conversation at an event will not be remembered sorry! PS Donations to Ukraine are up to date as of April 30. And 31 May.

Shortage Starts to Bite, 3 Apr 23
For a year we've warned of possible supply problems with Moscow compass - they are here. We're out of the popular Model 8 (with the colours) and getting low on the others. The standard thumb base is also low, and to counter that we're offering an advanced new type of base at no extra cost - it has a forward dot and you keep yourself between the two dots. New supply is uncertain. PS Donations to Ukraine up to date as of 31 March.

Sport Ident Price Increases, 1 Mar 23
In fact they increased last year too, but this was countered by a weak Euro against our dollar. We dont increase our prices without cause, see the 1 Nov news item below, but we do so now. The SI8 goes up to $67, the SIAC a smaller percentage to $145. We appreciate you have a choice of supplier.

Helping Ukraine, 23 Jan 23, updated 28 Feb
We got another shipment of Moscow compasses late last year - and we still haven't been charged the 35% Russian import duty. We're going to take it on ourselves to incorporate the duty in our prices, from tomorrow. We'll forward the amount to a charity working in Ukraine; plus continue $10 per compass from our own margins. Thank you to all who have contributed voluntarily over the 11 months of the conflict. Donations up to date as of 28 Feb.

We Haven't Had Price Increases, 1 Nov 22
... for ages. Not since 2019. There were even some reductions 6 months ago. But the time has come, and the first to be affected is Miry mapholders, which go up by about 5%. We're pleased it is so modest, partly due to a long-standing relationship with the maker. Which also extends to spare parts and replacement brackets for the ever-changing bar diameters:-(( There's also a new board size - 330mm square - should reduce map folding by a second or two heh heh.

Ukraine Donations, 4 Jul 22 updated 31 Aug, 30 Sep, 31 Oct, 30 Nov, 31 Dec.
Assurance to you (and to me to ensure it doesn't get forgotten) this is to record donations to charities working in Ukraine are up to date as of 31 December. This includes $10 per Moscow compass from within our prices, and voluntary additions to your payments (thank you). We're settling into a monthly process.

The 35% Tariff, 2 Jun 22
The tragedy in Ukraine continues. We got a shipment of Moscow compasses the other day, the last from stock held by the Latvian agent. Strangely, the 35% tariff wasn't applied. I thought of adding it to prices and sending to a charity in Ukraine, but each model will feed through at different times. Instead I invite YOU to add to your payment (according to your conscience), and I'll undertake to pass it on. The extra would be: $10 for Model 22 and Magnifiers; $20 for Model 3 and 8; and $25 for Model 9*E. Note in the "code" for the bank transfer, eg "Incl UKR 10.00". I've sent off $500 (from my margins) so far and will continue that, too.

A Weird World, 5 Apr 22
We'll start with the Bad News. NZ is adding a 35% tariff to Russian imports. This will show up in future Moscow compass prices IF indeed they continue to be available. In the meantime I'm going to follow my Latvian agent's example and send $10 a compass to a charity working in Ukraine. I started counting on 24 Feb.

Now the good news. Well it wont please the governor of the Reserve Bank who likes inflation. But the affairs in Europe have depressed the Euro against the NZ dollar. We've made some price reductions and undertake to do more if this persists. In some cases (such as SI cards) this has been just enough to cancel out a price rise from the supplier. Pic: dave (at) davewood.nz

Compasses from Russia, 1 Mar 22
The situation in Ukraine is heartbreaking and I've been questioning whether I should be selling Moscow compasses. I deal with an extremely helpful intermediary in Latvia who is just as concerned. He says that the Moscompass owners are "very nice people who love orienteering and did an abnormal job to make a progress in this sport". And he's undertaken to send a massive proportion of his compass income to the people of Ukraine. That's an extraordinary gesture and makes me feel a little better. But I'm expecting supply interruptions. Stay tuned.

Post and Packing, 22 Jul 21
In line with our "cottage industry" style, we generally use NZ Post for dispatch. Their post-included bags are made with 80% NZ-recycled plastic (and you might notice that we protect the contents with re-purposed cardboard rather than bubble wrap). NZ Post introduced some changes on 1 July, most significant being that bags are all tracked now (with a small increase in price). The rural delivery premium has gone up to $4.30. So expect some changes to P&P as the new bags come into use.

Silva Still in the Doldrums, 24 Jul 20 - and at 22 Jul 21 still is...
In the on-again off-again saga of the Swedish compass pioneer, we've discovered further problems, and have returned our stock to the agent. Luckily there are alternatives. We supply a range of Moscow Compass, which has proved extremely reliable. And Grassy Knoll Outdoors stocks the Australian-designed Str8 compass, which has good reviews. We're on your side!

News Archive 1 Jul 20
Chug thru the archives of MAPsport's service to the orienteering community.

Serving New Zealand orienteers since 1987. Onsite equipment sales and mail-order, including worldwide. Mapping, Coaching, Event Services. ORDERING from MAPsport and PAYMENT OPTIONS If you can't see us at major events, make your order by phone, email, and we even have a letterbox! We use what we sell, if you're not sure what's best please ask. Generally we'll invoice with the goods, and you can pay when it arrives by: NZ Bank transfer to 020528 0349665-02. If this is the first time you've paid us you'll need our account name (for your protection). Strictly, its "Wood, Michael John trading as MAPsport Services", but you may be able to get away with "Michael Wood" or "MAPsport". Some may need to know that our bank is BNZ, Queens Drive, Lower Hutt. International Bank transfer to "Wood, Michael John trading as MAPsport Services"; Bank of New Zealand Lower Hutt branch, Shop 101, Westfield Queensgate, Corner of Queens Drive and Bunny Street, Lower Hutt 5010, NZ; SWIFT code BKNZNZ22; Account number 02-0528-0349665-002; sender pay all bank fees:-(( There are additional requirements for USA. Credit cards are no longer accepted. I was going to say "sorry", but you the customer have decided it - by choosing cheaper methods of payment - mostly cash and bank transfer. And cheques are no longer part of the money system either. Response Time: This is a one-person business. There is no office junior to stuff things up. But it means that there are times when I cannot attend to your request straight away, for example attending events or mapping assignments. I beg your understanding:-)) "Post and Packing": we like to support NZ Post and base P&P on their rates. We commonly use their standard bags which are tracked and cost $6.40 (compass, specs) up to $16. (MTB mapholder, control flags). Nicely, these bags cost the same no matter where in NZ you live, except that rural delivery attracts an extra fee of $5.70. Target delivery is 1-3 working days, but it's only a target, and remember you only get "every-other-day" delivery. It's best regarded as a week. But the bags can be upgraded to next-business-day delivery for $2 extra. Overseas customers: we can usually send "air international" for free in lieu of NZ GST, but of course you may be liable for sales tax when it arrives at your place. Email: Write: 23 St James Ave, Lower Hutt 5011, NZ Phone: 027 232 4310 I look forward to hearing from you .. Michael Wood