Terms and Definitions

Cadastral survey

Creates the official record of the various legal divisions and descriptions of land and forms the basis for land ownership. Cadastral surveyors undertake surveys that define the spatial extent of interests in land.

Conveyancers

People who are qualified to undertake transactions in land. At present these are lawyers and landbrokers. Under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act, once in force, conveyancers will be those registered with the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers.

Geodetic survey

Defines the shape and area of all or parts of the earth and enables positions on the earth's surface to be determined.

Geospatial information

The location and name of features on, above, or beneath the surface of the earth.

Hydrographic survey

Records the shape and features of the seabed (unlike a bathymetric survey, which measures depth).

Landonline

An automated survey and title system that enables more efficient processing of dealings in land ownership and provides improved nationwide access to land information.

Meshblock

A population-based land area that represents the smallest area from which statistical information is collected. Meshblocks are also used to determine electoral boundaries.

NZTopoOnline

New Zealand topographic information available online.

Topography

A two-dimensional representation of the natural features of land.