FAQ – Ask a Surveyor

What is surveying?

Click on the hyperlink below to be taken to the University of Otago’s website to an article that gives a clear description on surveying:

http://www.surveying.otago.ac.nz/

Who are LINZ?

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is a New Zealand government department responsible for land titles, geodetic and cadastral survey systems, topographic information, hydrographic information, managing Crown property and a variety of other functions.

Click on the hyperlink below to be taken to the LINZ website:

http://www.linz.govt.nz/find-out/get-to-know-linz/index.aspx

Defining Boundaries in NZ

Unlike many countries in the world, New Zeeland has a formal system of surveying and registration of land titles. All title boundaries are described mathematically and recorded on survey plans. Your first port of call for relocation any boundary is a Register Professional Surveyor (RPS). These surveyors are entitled to re-establish existing boundaries and subdivide titles by law.

Because this system of land measurement and registrations more formal costs incurred can often be higher, however the system does provide the ultimate security to the landowner.

Redefining Boundaries

Commonly we are asked to re-locate missing boundary corner pegs. The preparation time needed in the office before we go on-site tends to be about the same time taken in the field.

The Registered Professional Surveyor must examine all relevant information titles, survey plans, encumbrances (eg. Easements and covenants) and pre- compute the relevant boundary corners positions relative to known "control marks" in the area. The data is then uploaded to the total station and / or GPS ready of the field operation. This work makes our life easier in the field.

What does a redefinition survey cost?

The minimum fee for such work would typically be $500 plus GST for a basic 1 or 2 peg replacement or relocation. As the complexity increases the cost obviously escalates. We would b happy to price your work on an "estimate only" basis once we are aware of the scope of work.

What tools can we use to provide greater productivity?

When the land is open with only a small amount of vegetation the ideal means of re-determining boundaries is GPS. We use a RTK system (Real-Time-Kinematic) that gives positions to within 0.02m (20mm).

Further questions?

If you have any further questions please send an enquiry or if you prefer please email us at and we will endeavour to answer your question as soon as possible.