Rural Property Numbering

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Rural Property Numbering

In 1995, New Plymouth District Council adopted a standard numbering system for rural properties within the district.

The Rural Address Property Identification System (Rapid) makes it easier for the police, fire and ambulance services to find a particular house as quickly as possible – something that is especially important during an emergency, when any delay could be critical.

Rapid was chosen in 1991 by a national working party – comprising the New Zealand Fire Service, New Zealand Ambulance Board, New Zealand Police, Local Government Association, Land Information New Zealand and Federated Farmers – as the best method of rural property identification for New Zealand.

How Rapid Works

Rapid is easy to understand and simple to operate.

Properties are given a unique number based on their distance along a road (from its start point or intersection with another road to the entranceway of the property) as well as which side of the road the property is on. Numbers on the right side of the road are even; those on the left are odd.

The number given to a property is calculated by measuring the distance between the property and the start point of the road and multiplying this by100. For example, a property 0.9km along White Road on the right side of the road will have the Rapid number 90. Likewise, 165 White Road is 1.65km along White Road on the left side.

Where there are multiple properties using the same entranceway, in most instances the rapid number will now contain alpha characters to determine each individual property. For example 90, 90A and 90B.

Numbers on the right side of the road are even; those on the left side are odd.

Even if a property owner doesn’t display a number, the property can still be found. For example, anyone looking for 90 White Road simply needs to put their odometer to zero at the entrance to White Road, then travel 0.9km – at which time they will be at or near the property entrance. Knowing this is particularly helpful in the dark when the entrance could otherwise be hard to find.

However, having the property owner display the number prominently will make it easy for the rural property to be found.

New Plymouth District Council has adopted a standard method for displaying Rapid numbers. This uses a blue post with reflectorised white numbers placed at the entrance to the property.

How to get your Rapid number

Rapid number application forms are available from us. The completed application form, along with a site plan showing accurate measurements of boundary and entranceway locations needs to be returned to the Council, and your number will be issued.

Having a rapid number stake is optional; the number can be displayed as you choose. We recommend a stake as it clearly displays your number, making it easy for people to locate your property.

There is a charge to cover the cost of the stake and the reflective numbers – this applies to both new and replacement stakes. There is no charge for a Rapid number issued without a stake. Instructions on where to position the posts and how to install them are provided.

To apply for a Rapid number use the form here.

• Rapid number request form (Two pages 500KB PDF) Return to top
  

Ongoing maintenance

The maintenance of the posts, and their replacement if they are damaged, are the responsibility of the property owner.

Primarily, property owners should control roadside vegetation so that the post and number remain clearly visible to passing vehicles.

If you have any questions about maintenance, the position of the Rapid number posts or would like to order new posts, contact New Plymouth District Council.

The benefits of Rapid

There are many benefits that come from the Rapid numbering system.

Rapid numbers aid emergency vehicles in finding the right property as quickly as possible as well as enabling friends and delivery services to find you easily. Time is wasted trying to find ‘the first green house past the stream on the left up the second driveway and behind the row of poplar trees’ which could be critical in an emergency situation.

It is simple to use and understand, and it is logical. Once you know how numbers are allocated, properties become easy to find – even in the dark.

The simplicity of the system makes it easy for anyone whose work involves rural properties. For instance, Rapid numbers can be easily integrated into records held by organisations such as Land Information New Zealand, and New Zealand Post.
 
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