Summary

There are complex common law principles, modified by statute, that apply when boundaries of land are defined by the edge of the sea, lakes, rivers, or streams.

Land Information New Zealand customers and staff need to understand these principles to be certain of property rights when looking at records of land with water boundaries. These principles also determine when the Registrar-General of Land can issue title under the Land Transfer Act 1952 for land that was formerly covered by water.

This standard articulates the minimum requirements for issuing title for land which was formerly under water.