About NZIS

The New Zealand Institute of Surveyors is an incorporated society established to monitor and maintain the professional and ethical conduct of surveyors in New Zealand. 

The NZIS was founded in 1888 as a national body to preserve and develop the integrity and status of the profession of surveying. The Institute has 16 branches throughout New Zealand as well as one in Hong Kong, these being supported by a National Office in Wellington and guided by an elected president and councilors.

Amongst many important roles, surveyors fulfill an important role in the land title system of New Zealand, helping to protect the integrity of land ownership and property rights.

The functions of the Institute are:
  • To protect and promote the interests of the profession of surveying and the interests of the public in relation to surveys and surveying 
  • To promote and encourage proper conduct and suppress illegal, dishonourable, or improper practices by members of the Institute 
  • To preserve and maintain the integrity and status of the profession of surveying 
  • To provide opportunities for the acquisition and communication of knowledge in relation to surveying and related matters 
  • To consider and suggest amendments to the law relating to land, surveys and surveying 
  • To provide means for the amicable settlement of professional differences 
  • To arrange completion of outstanding title surveys or other related work in the event of default or incapacity of a registered surveyor. 

The majority of our members spend four years obtaining a Bachelor of Surveying Degree or its equivalent, and many have also passed the Cadastral Survey Licensing Board’s examinations entitling them to carry out land title surveys. Qualified cadastral surveyors ensure that land measurements are accurate and that boundaries are marked and visible. These surveyors can confidently reproduce boundary marks erased by time, and are the only professionals qualified to take accurate land measurements and to determine precise positions. 

In addition to cadastral surveying, many of our members are competent and experienced in other fields of surveying, both in New Zealand and overseas, such as land development, resource management, civil engineering and hydrographic surveying.

You may engage a surveyor for a number of reasons, including: 
  • Any transaction concerning land
  • Subdividing and/or developing land 
  • Working with the Resource Management Act and/or District Plans 
  • Positioning a house, garage or fence 
  • Undertaking environmental studies 
  • Preparing a map or site plan
  • Assisting with land boundary disputes 
  • Topographical or contour surveys
  • Registering rights-of-ways or other easements over land 
  • Registering leases over land 
  • Expert testimony concerning land measurement

Membership


The New Zealand Institute of Surveyors enjoys a membership base which includes highly experienced professional practitioners and academics, tertiary students studying a surveying (or similar) qualification, senior skilled survey technicians, and other professionals practicing in fields related to surveying.

The specific classes of membership are: 
  • Fellow (FNZIS) 
  • Member (MNZIS) 
  • Associate Member (ANZIS) 
  • Student Member
  • Honorary Member (Hon MNZIS) 

In addition to the membership classes, the Institute offers the distinction of Registered Professional Surveyor to members who can demonstrate the highest level of competency.