Survey System Overview

LINZ administers the survey system primarily to provide for the accurate identification of boundaries for land tenure purposes. LINZ maintains cadastral survey records for all tenure systems, including freehold and leasehold (Land Transfer Act 1952), Māori land and Crown land.

Cadastral Survey Act 2002

LINZ's functions and responsibilities in relation to the New Zealand's survey system are set out in the Cadastral Survey Act 2002.

The Surveyor-General, part of LINZ's Regulatory Group, sets standards for the cadastral and geodetic survey systems, and monitors and audits compliance with the standards.

Find out more:

• Surveyor-General's Rules for cadastral survey
• Cadastral Survey Guidelines
• Cadastral survey audit processes.

Geodetic reference system

The geodetic system and associated national survey control system is based on the New Zealand Geodetic Datum 2000 (NZGD2000). NZGD2000 is a geocentric datum compatible with the international Global Positioning System (GPS).

LINZ also maintains a GPS active control network (PositioNZ network) to supplement the network of physical control marks.

Geodetic control data is integrated with cadastral survey data in Landonline (find out about Landonline). You can also search or download geodetic mark data.

Find out more:

• Geodetic system
• Geodesy in New Zealand
• New Zealand Geodetic Datum 2000 (NZGD2000).

Survey plans/cadastral survey datasets

Survey plans show property legal boundaries, and property areas and dimensions. Cadastral survey datasets (CSDs) are digital survey plans that include related information.

All CSDs lodged with LINZ are required to be accompanied by a survey report that explains the purpose for which the survey was conducted, how the survey was completed, and how the prescribed standards have been complied.

Find out more:

• Survey report template - Landonline.

Lodgement

From November 2003 surveyors had the option of lodging cadastral survey transactions electronically. Electronic lodgement became mandatory on 1 September 2007.

All survey firms use Landonline e-survey for electronic lodgement. Surveyors can no longer submit paper plans.

e-survey

e-survey allows surveyors to digitally prepare and lodge cadastral surveys directly with LINZ from their office. Once in Landonline, they can finalise and validate cadastral survey transactions before lodging them with LINZ. In addition, through using LandXML enabled survey software, surveyors can create surveys without needing to re-key data into the Landonline capture screens.

Landonline also provides an option for the online certification of surveys by Territorial Authorities.

Find out more:

• e-survey - Landonline
• TA e-certification - Landonline.

Plan deposit

When LINZ is satisfied the plan is legally correct, it deposits the survey plan as a legal document. The existing title is then cancelled and a new computer register created for each new parcel of land shown on the deposited plan.

Find out more:

• New Zealand's land title registration system

Surveying profession

New Zealand organisations involved in cadastral surveying include:

• the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors, which monitors the professional and ethical conduct of surveyors
• the Institute of Cadastral Surveying - a professional body for cadastral surveyors
• National School of Surveying - University of Otago.

Find out more:

• Surveyors offer a wide range of services - New Zealand Institute of Surveyors.

Cadastral Surveyors Licensing Board

The Cadastral Surveyors Licensing Board is responsible for the licensing of cadastral surveyors. The Board consists of five members appointed by the Minister for Land Information, as well as the Surveyor-General.

Licences are issued by the Board annually. Renewal is based on the maintenance of competency.

Find out more:

• Cadastral Surveyors Licensing Board.