General Information

An important activity for any profession is the quantity and quality of research and development undertaken. To encourage and support research and development, the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors has made a fund specifically available annually for research and development projects.

The Institute has established a permanent committee with a specific function to initiate, encourage and administer research grants that aim to support the surveying profession and provide benefit to the Institute and its members.

The purpose of the Research and Development (R&D) Committee is primarily achieved by promoting and receiving applications for funding towards specific projects nominated by applicants, however it is also a role of the Committee to identify and commission research and development projects which are focused on subjects of particular value to members.

A further role of the Committee is to administer the Postgraduate Bursary in Surveying, the Land Planning Bursary, and the Research Scholarship, all of which are offered by the Institute to its members.

The Committee typically consists of six members of the institute, all of whom have a particular interest in furthering the research and development program. Committee meetings are usually held by teleconference at a frequency of about six meetings per year.

What Research and Development opportunities does the Institute Offer?

The Institute offers the following research and development funding opportunities-

• Research Grant

The purpose of the Research Grant is to purchase research of benefit to members. Anyone can apply for a Research Grant (whether an Institute member or not) and the criteria for such a grant include relevance of topic, cost of grant and the ability of the applicant to deliver. The Research and Development Committee has an annual budget of $20,000 set aside for Research Grants.

• Land Planning Bursary

The purpose of the Land Planning Bursary is to support students undertaking tertiary study in planning. This bursary is available to any member who is undertaking a suitable course of study as part of an approved tertiary land planning course. A maximum amount of $3,000 is available to successful applicants.

• Post Graduate Bursary

The purpose of the Post Graduate Bursary is to support students undertaking post-graduate study in surveying. This bursary is available to any member who is enrolled in a suitable course of study as part of a postgraduate surveying course. A maximum amount of $3,000 is available to successful applicants.

• Research Scholarship

The purpose of the Research Scholarship is to support members undertaking research. Anyone can apply for a Research Scholarship (whether an Institute member or not) and the criteria for such a scholarship include suitability and experience of the applicant. A maximum amount of $3,000 is available to successful applicants.

Additional information about the Research Grant, Land Planning and Post Graduate Bursaries, and Research Scholarship, is available in the Research and Development Funding Policy document, downloadable from the list below.

The Research and Development Committee can also consider applications for funding grants from the Mackie Trust. Applications for such funding should be made in the same way as those for Research Grants described below.

How do I apply for funding?

Applications for Research Grants should be prepared in accordance with the Research and Development Grant Application Guidelines document, downloadable from the list below.

Applications for Bursaries and Scholarships should include sufficient information to satisfy the Research and Development Funding Policy document, downloadable from the list below. Minimum information will normally include a description of the course of study, CV and academic record, and expected deliverables (normally a paper for publication in one of the Institute’s magazines).

Once an application has been submitted, the Research and Development Committee will consider the merits of the application and will formulate a recommendation to the Institute Council. It is not uncommon for the Committee to seek additional information from the applicant to assist with reaching a recommendation. Council will then consider the application, as well as the Committee’s recommendation, and will decide whether to approve the requested funding.

Applications for grants, bursaries or scholarships, or any enquiries, should be addressed to:

The National Manager,
PO Box 831
WELLINGTON
nzis@surveyors.org.nz

Additional application information is also available in the Members Handbook.

I have a suggestion for a future Research and Development project

The Research and Development Committee is always interested in hearing what topics might be of particular benefit or interest to members of the Institute.

Suggestions for future Research and Development projects, or comments for the R&D Committee, can be emailed to nzis@surveyors.org.nz

Current & Completed Research Grant Projects

• Legal Coordinate Cadastre Project

This project involves the assessment of the quality of Landonline boundary coordinates towards the possible implementation of a legal coordinate cadastre in New Zealand. This study, headed by Phil Rhodes of the University, will seek to determine whether Landonline coordinates are sufficiently accurate to autonomously position cadastral boundaries. The application proposal document can be downloaded from the list below.

• Sustainable Subdivision Rating Tool

The Institute has approved funding towards the Sustainable Subdivision Rating Tool currently being developed by Landlink Limited of Waikanae. It is envisaged that this rating tool will provide significant benefit to members as an indicator of sustainable design through the subdivision planning process and as a means to rate the subdivision against a recognised set of attributes and values. Landlink Limited is expecting to complete the first stage of the tool by late 2009. The application proposal document can be downloaded from the list below.

• Land Title Surveys Project

The Land Title Survey project, coordinated by Don McKay, has been advancing throughout the year towards the final form in which it can be published and distributed.

• Surveyor and the Law Revision

Following completion of the Land Titles Project, the Research and Development Committee will look again to progress reproduction of the Surveyor and the Law reference document. This is a text that members feel will provide substantial value to practicing members and surveying students alike.

• HP 33/35S Calculator Program

Tony Nikkel has completed development a cadastral program for the HP33 & 35S calculator. The program code can be downloaded by Institute members here.

Previous Bursary / Scholarship Recipients

• Sera Price, Dunedin (Land Planning Bursary, 2009)

The Institute has awarded a Land Planning Bursary to Sera Price of Dunedin for her thesis to analyse how New Zealand cities are competing for investment.