Q:

Blank map using Native Google Maps in Ionic2 - Correct keys

I am brand new to Ionic, just started my first project with it.  I'm trying to get google maps to display on a page right now, which I almost have.  It's just the map displays blank like so.  The api is definitely enabled on the google api console  also, so it can't be that.  However it's clear my app isn't generating any requests, which is odd because the fact that the map-controls are present means I must reaching the maps service okay?  
I know blank maps can happen as a result of an incorrect api key but I have triple checked and the key I installed the cordova native google maps plugin with is correct.  I have tried new keys, removing and reinstalling the plugin, and both methods combined, the same problem persists in all cases. 
My implementation is lifted almost verbatim from a tutorial/ionic docs, so can't see that there'd be an issue there:
import { Component, ViewChild, ElementRef } from '@angular/core';
import { NavController, NavParams, Platform } from 'ionic-angular';
import {
 GoogleMap,
 GoogleMapsEvent,
 GoogleMapsLatLng,
 CameraPosition,
 GoogleMapsMarkerOptions,
 GoogleMapsMarker
} from 'ionic-native';

@Component({
  selector: 'page-profile',
  templateUrl: 'profile.html'
})
export class ProfilePage {
  @ViewChild('map') mapElement: ElementRef;
  map: any;
  infowindow: any;

  constructor(public navCtrl: NavController, public navParams: NavParams, public platform: Platform) {
    platform.ready().then(() => {
            this.loadMap();
        });
  }

  ngAfterViewInit() {
   //this.loadMap();
  }

  ionViewDidLoad() {
    console.log('ionViewDidLoad ProfilePage');
  }

  loadMap(){

        let location = new GoogleMapsLatLng(-34.9290,138.6010);

        this.map = new GoogleMap('map', {
          'backgroundColor': 'white',
          'controls': {
            'compass': true,
            'myLocationButton': true,
            'indoorPicker': true,
            'zoom': true
          },
          'gestures': {
            'scroll': true,
            'tilt': true,
            'rotate': true,
            'zoom': true
          },
          'camera': {
            'latLng': location,
            'tilt': 30,
            'zoom': 15,
            'bearing': 50
          }
        });

        this.map.on(GoogleMapsEvent. MAP_READY).subscribe(() => {
            console.log('Map is ready!'); 
        });

    }

}

Any help appreciated; this is driving me nuts. 

A:

As it turns out, even though I ensured through SDK manager that I had Google Play Services installed, as well as using an x86 image for the emulator as thats a requirement for Google Api v3 (or so I read), the emulator does not work with Play Services. 
This is required for v3 Google API.  Running on a real android 7 device works perfectly. 