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Can anyone tell me the official law on using phones with satnav functions while driving? I'm thinking of buying an app that gives verbal directions but am getting conflicting answers to their legality from the internet.

While it is illegal to use a hand-held cellphone, the law says it is OK to use a phone whilst driving provided the phone is secured in a mounting fixed to the car, and the driver only operates it briefly and infrequently. That means it is OK to use smartphones for GPS or music functions, or hands-free phones.

Provided you set up the GPS function before you drive off, and have a bracket to mount it to the dashboard you would not be breaching the rule. For the specific wording, see: http://nzta.thomsonreuters.co.nz/REG-NZL-PUB-Y.2004-427.pdf