Google Maps shift spells fait accompli

Two New Brighton schools have mysteriously relocated to sites where they are proposed to merge – according to Google Maps.

Freeville School acting principal Paul Wilkinson discovered the move when he downloaded a Google Maps application for his phone last week.

‘‘A search for Freeville School brings it up as a listing, but the location is at North New Brighton School,’’ he said.

‘‘Similarly, a search for Central New Brighton School shows the location as being at South New Brighton.’’

The move coincides with Ministry of Education proposals to merge Freeville School in Sandy Ave with North New Brighton’s site in Leaver Tce, and to merge Central New Brighton School in Seaview Rd with South New Brighton’s site in Estuary Rd.

Google said there was no one reason for the two schools being listed under the wrong address.

The internet giant has a tool called Map Maker that allows users to add information about their area to the maps.

A Google spokesperson said the tool allowed users to ‘‘share their local knowledge of the world around them to help keep maps of their areas accurate and up to date.

‘‘Once we’ve received the edit or suggestion we’ll confirm it with other users, data providers, Street View imagery or other authoritative sources.’’ Another reason could be that Google used a vast array of ‘‘authoritative public and commercial data sources’’ to update maps.

Word of the mergers could have filtered through to Google, which would have updated the maps accordingly.

‘‘One of the exciting things about maps and geography is that the world is a constantly changing place, and keeping on top of these changes is a never-ending endeavour,’’ the spokesperson said.

The parent community reported the errors to Google through its Report a Problem tool. Freeville School this week was moved back to Sandy Ave, but Central New Brighton School remains at South New Brighton’s site.