LINZ's Responsibilities

Land titles

LINZ authorises and records changes in rights to land. This includes creating new titles, recording changes of ownership and interests in land (eg mortgages) and providing access to these records. The system LINZ maintains provides an accurate and up-to-date picture of legal ownership of land in New Zealand. Titles products and services are provided via the Internet (for Landonline subscribers) and through LINZ's five processing centres. Bulk digital title data is also made available through resellers.

Geodetic and cadastral survey system

LINZ maintains the geodetic and cadastral systems, which work together to provide the parcel-based framework for recording rights in land. Electoral information (eg street addresses and meshblocks) is generated from this framework.

Geodetic reference system

The geodetic reference system provides the underlying spatial reference system for New Zealand. It involves a network of primary survey marks in the ground. The positions of these marks are recorded in terms of a New Zealand datum, which is compatible with the international global positioning system.

The geodetic reference system provides the spatial referencing framework for the cadastral survey system. It enables the compatible positioning of all other spatial information, such as topographic and geological mapping. Geodetic information is available via the Internet.

Cadastral survey system

The cadastral survey system consists of a framework that includes all survey reference points, land surveys and boundary marks, and the spatial definition of cadastral records provided by LINZ-approved survey plans. This information enables the identification and definition of land parcels for registration and recording of interests under the Torrens land title, Māori land and Crown land systems. It also provides the national property framework for use in geographic information systems operated by local authorities and utility companies.

Cadastral survey products and services are provided via the Internet (for Landonline subscribers) and through LINZ's five processing centres. Bulk digital survey data is also made available through resellers.

Topographic information

LINZ is responsible for national topographic mapping at 1:50,000 and broader scales. We undertake this mapping for defence and emergency services and national constitutional purposes. LINZ makes our topographic data and mapping available via the Internet and in printed form through retailers. We also make our bulk digital topographic data available directly from LINZ or through resellers.

Hydrographic information

LINZ is responsible for providing authoritative hydrographic information for navigational purposes. We produce this information, which includes charts, nautical almanacs and notices to mariners, in accordance with the standards of the International Hydrographic Organisation. LINZ's hydrographic products are supplied to users via the Internet and through chart retailers.

Rating valuation

LINZ ensures that property valuations for rating purposes are provided to a consistent standard. We set standards for rating valuations and undertake compliance audits of local authorities.

Crown property

LINZ regulates the management and disposal of the Crown's interest in land and property in accordance with the Public Works Act 1981 and the Land Act 1948. Government agencies undertake acquisitions and disposals for their own purposes. LINZ ensures that correct statutory decisions are made and that government agencies comply with the statutory requirements in a consistent manner.

LINZ is also responsible for managing Crown land and property on the Crown's balance sheet in accordance with the regulatory framework, including the control of pest plants and animals on our lands and on Crown owned river and lake beds. Two of the major areas are the administration of the Tenure Review process under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 for South Island high country pastoral leases, and Crown forestry licences under the Crown Forest Assets Act 1989.

Continental shelf

LINZ was responsible for obtaining seabed data to determine the furthermost extent of the legal continental shelf, and for assisting with developing New Zealand's submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. The Commission accepted New Zealand's submission in September 2008.

New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa

LINZ provides administrative support, research assistance and advice to the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa. The Board is responsible for place-naming in New Zealand (including the Kermadec, Chatham, Auckland, Bounty, Snares, Antipodes, and Campbell Islands) and within the territorial waters of New Zealand. The Board's jurisdiction also extends to the Ross Sea region of Antarctica and to the undersea features of New Zealand's contintental shelf area.

Valuers Registration Board

The Valuers Registration Board registers valuers and monitors education standards for the industry. It has a wide-ranging portfolio of responsibilities all aimed at ensuring the public receives a competent and ethical service from New Zealand's 1,300 registered valuers.

It accredits valuation courses offered at Lincoln, Auckland and Massey Universities and has oversight of the registration examinations for new graduates, which are designed to ensure candidates for registration have the required core competencies. The Board can also take disciplinary proceedings against registered valuers for improper, unethical or incompetent conduct.

Members of the Board, which has been serviced from within LINZ since 1998, are all appointed by the Minister for Land Information. Care is taken to ensure a good geographical and rural-urban spread, as well as representation from a cross-section of the industry.

Electoral support

LINZ provides technical support to the Representation Commission (which determines electoral boundaries), the Chief Electoral Office, the Electoral Enrolment Centre, and Statistics New Zealand. LINZ's primary functions are the provision of an Index to Places and Streets for use on polling day, mapping support, the collation of street addresses for enrolment purposes, and the spatial definition of meshblocks.

Overseas Investment Office

The functions of the regulator under the Overseas Investment Act 2005 are carried out within LINZ as the Overseas Investment Office. These include receiving and processing applications, consultation with relevant government departments and other agencies as appropriate, and providing information to applicants and the public generally.