Bowls New Zealand Umpires will be seen using a new piece of technology throughout the Summerset National Singles and Pairs. Recently approved for use here in New Zealand, the Bowlsline Laser Measure (Leica DISTO D2) is regularly used overseas and will be another bit of kit available for those Umpires who wish to use it.

Approving the laser measure for use in New Zealand has been a 12 month journey where a number of umpires have tested it on the green to be satisfied this will be a good piece of equipment for umpires in NZ. This involved using the laser measure at the World Championships and at the recent World Singles Champion of Champions in November.

"It's an exciting time for our Umpires to embrace this new technology, and I know there are several who are looking forward to using their laser measure at the Nationals this week," Johnson said. "Other MNA (Member Nation Associations) are using this model, so we know the technology is well tested."

Umpires are of course still able to use traditional box measures, but the laser measures will become another handy item for the pockets.