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Institute of Cadastral Surveying (Inc.) Email: sec@ics.org.nz
P.O Box 12226 Web: www.ics.org.nz
Beckenham Forum: www.icsnz.proboards.com
Christchurch 8242  
   
Phone: 03 686 9400 Issue 45 – September 2021
WELCOME TO THE SEPTEMBER 2021 ICS EXPRESS
This monthly publication is a communication channel from the ICS Committee to the wider ICS Membership, and alerts you to:
•    matters of cadastral importance;
•    the status of ICS projects;
•    cadastral news and events;
•    ICS administrative matters;


Feedback and contributions are welcome, and should be directed to: sec@ics.org.nz or president@ics.org.nz
*** ICS WORKSHOP - POSTPONEMENT UPDATE ***
The 2021 AGM & Technical Workshop will be held at the Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge on Saturday 9th October.  Registrations for the workshop have reopened and will close again on Friday 25th September.  (Thanks to those registrant's who have already confirmed their intentions for this revised date.)
If regions outside Auckland (and hopefully Auckland too) are in Alert Level 2 or lower this workshop will likely go ahead with appropriate precautions - although we will keep you informed on developments and confirm our intentions closer to the time.
Don't miss out on this excellent CPD and networking opportunity. Download the programme and registration form here. See below for accommodation deals. 
PRESIDENT'S MUSINGS
From the desk of ICS President Pat Sole
I thought my musing last month was the last from me but this virus has different ideas, and nothing can be taken for granted.

I have very much enjoyed these Covid induced interruptions to my workflow, as it allows a break from a busy schedule and time to do a few things around home which would otherwise have to wait.  That said, I know that the affects of lockdown are different on everyone, and some people certainly struggle.
 
No doubt any short term hold-ups in the development sector will be exacerbated by even tighter deadlines required to respond to our clients needs, once work more as usual resumes.  I read of large hold-ups to building materials but my concern is the hold-ups at the regulatory level (in Councils and LINZ) which appears to be slowing the supply of land to the market more than ever.
 
On a positive front, the long awaited Cadastral Survey Rules are now operative.  You would have noted the waiving of the resubmission/requisition fee for surveys lodged under the new rules. However, conversion from the former rules requires the filling of additional fields so I suspect most surveys initiated under the former rules will be completed under them.
 
You would have recognised too that we have postponed our AGM/Workshop until 9 October and hopefully, this will allow enough time for it to go ahead and all to attend.  There are contingency plans for our AGM should this not be possible.
 
Make sure you take some time out for yourself and family at this time, and stay safe.


Responses or ripostes should be directed to: president@ics.org.nz
ICS IN ACTION
ICS ADVOCACY PROJECTS
Your ICS Executive Committee continue to engage with other groups and work on various advocacy projects on your behalf.   Components of these ‘projects’ often require feedback, comment and contributions from Members.
The ICS projects are progressing, and our recent activities are summarised below, with their status in italics:
  • Good Survey Practice –  “detail document” project continues; first draft progressing albeit slowly; communications with S+SNZ for additional contributions.  
  • STEP (formerly ASaTS) – watching brief continues - see update below.
  • Toitū Te Whenua/LINZ – Rule 19 and 21 Issues – response received; Plan Processing times and Service Levels (see below)
  • S+SNZ – Memorandum of Understanding being drafted by S+SNZ
  • Example Survey Plans – initial examples published – examination competency list being compiled for populating the example library 
  • QA Checklist Template – a new project with CSNZ and S+SNZ - slow progress continues
Your feedback on these matters is welcomed.  If you have any other cadastral survey issues that you want support with – or want the ICS to escalate – then please contact a Committee Member or the Secretary - sec@ics.org.nz
TOITŪ TE WHENUA/LINZ UPDATES
CADASTRAL SURVEY RULES 2021
The new Survey Rules – CSR2021 – were enacted on 30-August-2021.  A transition period allowing surveys and CSD’s to continue to be lodged under the old Rules (RCS2010) is available until 25-February-2022.
As reported last month, the ICS raised some questions with the Surveyor-General. These were:
a.    Rule 19(1) - Accuracy of non-boundary marks:  The rule formula that we were consulting on is different to the formula in the published rules.  This exacerbates the tightness of the required accuracy – especially in rural locations or with old or poor underlying surveys. 
b.    Rule 21 - Accuracy of boundary referencing:  A subtle change in meaning by adding “all” into the statement “between a boundary point… and all old and new non-boundary marks”.
c.    Alternative Process for Limited Titles: Removal of this process without consultation.

We received a written response from the S-G on 30-August which can be read here.

We are not wholly convinced by the reply – and already understood that the rules were no longer open for debate.  We can but take some solace in the statement that “if it turns out that some of the rules are problematic, we will consider amendments as necessary”
CADASTRAL SURVEY RULES 2021 – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 
Landonline was updated over the weekend of 28-August to support the capture and validation of surveys under CSR 2021 as well as to support the transition period.
Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand systems and processes have also been updated to support the new rules.  A significant amount of work has gone into consulting and communicating with the surveying community and updating support material on the Toitu Te Whenua (LINZ)  website.  Support material for both sets of rules is available during the transition period.
CADASTRAL SURVEY RULES 2021 WEBINARS
Webinars about preparing a Cadastral Survey Dataset in terms of the CSR2021 and using Landonline were held on 25th and 26th August.    The content of both webinars was the same, and ran through everything you need to know about the new Cadastral Survey Rules 2021, including:
•    Transitional arrangements
•    Key rule changes impacting the preparation of a CSD
•    Key capture changes using Landonline
•    How to convert a Rules for Cadastral Survey 2010 CSD to CSR 2021 CSD

The sessions were recorded and will be made available on the LINZ website for those who were unable to attend.  [The link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-0U2smhBbw ]
Some general notes:
  • The suggested target submission date for RCS2010 datasets should be early January-2022 to allow for processing and requisition timeframes
  • The CSD Plan is now referred to as the Record of Survey
  • A dataset can be converted from RCS2010 to CSR2021 (and back) if required, however note that fields will be lost with each conversion requiring additional checking and population
  • 12d Model version 15 will support CSR2021
  • A new error flag (Y629) “invalid mark purpose” will be reported.  Marks “defined by survey” and coded BNDS should have their purpose updated to “boundary”
  • Field notes/information and fixes or other data to support water boundary definition need to be submitted
LANDONLINE ISSUES AND NEWS
CURRENT PROCESSING TIMES AT 30-August-2021
Times for Survey and Title processing for the last 12 months are tracked below.
The summary graph for Survey Datasets reports the shortest (routine) and longest (complex) processing working days:

 


As reported over the last few months, the ICS continues to be extremely concerned about the plan processing timeline trends.  

We note the apparent reduction in Title Dealing processing timeframes.  But the continuing trend of slippage for Survey Dataset processing is not what we were wanting to see.  The uncertain impact of the recent Covid-19 Level 4/Level 3 submission volumes are potential contributors to this result – so it will be interesting to see if the solutions that Toitu te Whenua LINZ were applying to the processing factory (extra recruitment; training; resource sharing) will pull that back – as was expected from mid -September.

 
LANDONLINE SPATIAL DISPLAY PLATFORM
A core component of the Landonline spatial display platform is a product called MapObjects.  It is used for spatial transactions and displays, and provides a graphical representation, which allows Landonline users (LINZ staff, search agents, surveyors) to visualise data spatially.

MapObjects is however based on outdated technology so Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is in the process of replacing it.  Development and testing of components is being undertaken internally, following which it is intended to pilot the new Survey Capture and Plan Generation components with Landonline users that are likely to include ICS members.

The LINZ project team will only be approaching individuals that have previously indicated they are open and willing to be contacted by LINZ to engage in such activities.  They will also offer to talk to the individual’s manager if that is considered necessary.

 
STEP WORKING GROUP
The initial pilot of the new Landonline survey interface commenced in the middle of August. While there is quite a bit of functionality yet to be implemented and a few bugs to work out, the initial user experience is very positive. The new interface is based around the spatial/map window which is super responsive and readable. The interconnection between the map and the vector and mark lists is much better than legacy Landonline. Here is a teaser showing the appearance of the new user interface:

The development team also ported the new interface over to the new rules in time for August-30 which was a heroic effort. The inability to edit vector values or add new vectors, marks or parcels is a policy-driven frustration which has been fed back to Toitū Te Whenua. 

If you have any questions or feedback please contact Alex (
alex@foxsurvey.co.nz).
SURVEY+SPATIAL NZ
2021 CONFERENCE – BUILDING BACK BETTER
A full report from Louis Scott (Auckland) can be read here.

A summary of the takeaway points were:
  • Attended by 300+ delegates - many from the spatial science community
  • Economic stimulus as part of Covid response is pushing up inflation - Stephen Joyce (former National Minister) and Tony Alexander (former BNZ Chief Economist
  • Surveyors need to ensure the protection of their professional interests in the fields of resource management and land development - Anselm Haanen (Surveyor-General)
  • S+SNZ and ICS should work together - Anselm Haanen (Surveyor General) 
  • Billion-dollar Maori Land enterprises - potential for surveying opportunities (Stefan Kiss - Taylor Patrick Ltd)
  • Retaining walls and party walls - easements or covenants? - Thomas Gibbons (Thomas Gibbons Law)
  • Braided rivers  are special - Mick Stack (Otago University)
  • Businesses need to re-think their digital strategies to improve productivity - Bruce Robinson (Global Survey)
  • Are surveyors open to change? - Norm Hewitt (former All Black and Mental Health Advocate)
Louis was sponsored by the ICS to attend this event.  Thanks Louis for your comprehensive report.
"ON-LINE" NEWS
MORE SOUTH ISLAND MAYORS JOIN CALL FOR MINISTER TO HALT WATER REFORMS 
Stuff:  26-August-2021
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/126182090/more-south-island-mayors-join-call-for-minister-to-halt-water-reforms 
A South Island Mayor has raised questions about the Government using Scotland as a model for water reform.
Westland mayor Bruce Smith said recent reports by the BBC showed the number of sewage spills recorded in Scotland's rivers and seas had increased by 40 per cent over the last five years.

Scottish Water, a publicly owned water firm, was established in 2003 and was only required to monitor 3 per cent of overflow sewers that discharge into seas or rivers after heavy rain. The BBC reported there were 12,725 “spill events” last year and 654 of the sewers did not have adequate screening.

The New Zealand Government has proposed significant long-term investment to ensure water meets public health and environmental standards by transferring water responsibilities from 67 councils nationwide into four entities, including one for the South Island. It used analysis by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland to estimate that up to $185 billion* investment would be required.

 
STATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT GETS GREEN LIGHT FROM HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL
Stuff – 17-August-2021
https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/housing-affordability/126099413/state-housing-development-gets-green-light-from-hamilton-city-council
Kāinga Ora has secured resource consent for a contentious state housing development in Hamilton’s north.
The consent was issued by Hamilton City Council and allows the state housing agency to build 60 two-storey homes and apartments in Flagstaff. The Endeavour Ave development will be a mix of public and privately owned homes.
Preparation work on the vacant 1.9-hectare site will start in early 2022, with construction timed to start in the second half of 2022.

The Endeavour Ave project has not been without controversy after more than 2700 residents signed a petition, organised by Hamilton-based National list MP David Bennett, calling for the development to be halted.

SQUATTER CITES ARCHAIC LAW IN CLAIMING OWNERSHIP OF $1 MILLION HISTORIC HOMESTEAD 
Stuff – National – 29-August-2021
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300385746/squatter-cites-archaic-law-in-claiming-ownership-of-1-million-historic-homestead 
The ownership of a million-dollar estate is being challenged by a squatter who claims it was abandoned by the local council.
Kerre Reddy, 60, is using an archiac law to contest the ownership of the 29.5421 hectare Mt Lees Reserve near Feilding in Manawatū.
Reddy, who has occupied the property with another person, off and on for over two months, notified the district council with an “allodial claim” in July.
It refers to a historic British common law that states by erecting a flag and planting a crop on an abandoned property, a person is entitled to own it.

[Good luck with that. Ed.]
ICS ADMINISTRATION
2021 AGM AND TECHNICAL WORKSHOP
As noted above The 2021 AGM & Technical Workshop has been postponed until Saturday October 9th and will still be held at the Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge.
The programme maybe subject to minor changes pending the availability of speakers.
Download the programme and registration form here. Registration now closes on Friday 25th September
As we are in the spiritual home of the surveying profession this year, a discounted registration is available to current students, and of course other non-members are encouraged to join us.


If you want to stay at the venue we have arranged a special rate of $145 for the nights of 27th/28th August, which you can take advantage of by either emailing the hotel directly at reservations@heritagedunedin.co.nz or calling 03 477 5360 and quoting the reference number #78731. A contact phone number & credit card details will be necessary to secure the reservations, please have these ready when booking. This offer ends 25th September 2021 or when reserved rooms have been fully booked.

If  you have any questions regarding the workshop please contact the convenors Alex Liggett (alex@foxsurvey.co.nz) and Paul Durkin (pdurkin@43below.co.nz).
ICS RULES - PROPOSED CHANGE
With the nomination (and acceptance) of an additional Committee Member for election at this year’s AGM (Louis Scott), the ICS Rules were found to be not commensurate to accommodate five non-office holders.  The Committee considers that the current restriction that limits the Committee to seven (#7) members including the President, Secretary and Treasurer is not flexible.
Therefore, a change to Rule 6.04 is proposed. Click here to view the proposed wording.
If you have any concerns or comments, please direct them to the Secretary before 4-Oct-2021.
MEMBERSHIP
With this year’s membership subscriptions largely collected, it is timely to provide a general indication of where our members are around the motu.
Northland 6
Auckland 8
Waikato 0
Taranaki 8
East Coast/Hawkes Bay 0
Wellington 2
Tasman 3
West Coast 0
Canterbury 15
Otago 3
Southland 2
Overseas 1
Urban Members 33
Rural Members 15
Student Members 7
CAPTION THIS
Sent in from ICS Member Paul Durkin in Christchurch – an accessory, a wee helper, or signal obstruction? [Ed. I hope that 'tip of beak on Kōtare' will become a measuring point option - it's more accurate than the current offerings for the R10/12.]
TIMES PAST
Our current historical theme continues, where we highlight and reproduce brief biographical details of New Zealand Surveyors who have served the cadastral profession with esteem and whom deserve to be remembered occasionally for their overall contribution to the profession.

This month’s “old Surveyor” is THEOPHILUS HEALE (1816 – 1885)
Chief Surveyor, Judge of the Native Land Court, MP
The Most Scientific Surveyor in the Country (S.P. Smith 1885)

 
Born in London, England in 1816, Theophilus received a good classical education and was a good mathematician and navigator and had studied geology and languages.  He went to sea early and was a ship’s captain at 24 years of age.  He commanded the Aurora bringing the first of the New Zealand Company settlers to New Zealand, arriving at Wellington on 22nd January 1840.  His vessel was then lost on Kaipara Bar in May 1840 while obtaining a return load of Kauri Spars.

After travelling around Northland, he returned to England in 1842 where he published a book, “New Zealand and the New Zealand Company” in which he levelled some pertinent criticisms against the Company's arrangements for the reception of the settlers.  He also entered into negotiations, on behalf of the Manukau Land Company, with a Scottish organisation which was prepared to establish the township of Cornwallis on Manukau Harbour.  He then formed a partnership with Dudley Sinclair and brought out machinery for sawmilling from England.  He set this up at Cornwallis, where it operated as the first steam driven mill in New Zealand.  Unfortunately, the settlement project failed, and the partnership dissolved.

In 1845 in partnership with Frederick (later Sir Frederick) Whittaker, he undertook a copper mining ventures at Kawau Island and also on Great Barrier Island until around 1860, and surveyed land claims as well.  In June 1860 he was elected Member of Parliament for Auckland Suburbs electorate, but a year later was defeated at a subsequent election.  

In September 1861, he was gazetted as Chief Surveyor of Southland, and in December, Provincial Engineer also.  Early in 1864 he explored Stewart Island with a view to settlement and utilisation of its natural resources.  In May 1864, he was elected Deputy Superintendent of Southland, but owing to a technicality, his election as Superintendent was disallowed later that year, and he left Southland.  

He was then engaged in contract surveying in the Bay of Plenty, where there was still intermittent trouble with the dissident Māori after the Waikato War.  In January 1867, he was appointed Chief Surveyor of Auckland and Inspector of Surveys (virtually Surveyor General of New Zealand), a position he held until 1876.  During this time, he immediately introduced reforms in survey practice, and initiated a major triangulation project.  With the assistance of Stephenson Percy Smith, he inaugurated the Trigonometrical Survey of the North Island, an event that is commemorated by a monument on Mount Eden, Auckland (see image below).  In 1871 he wrote a treatise, “The Principles and Practice of Surveying” – a book that shows Heale to have been a most competent mathematician and astronomer.  Heale was a scholar of repute, especially In Greek, Latin, French and Italian and he became a member of the first senate of New Zealand University. 

In April 1877, he became a Judge of the Native Land Court a post for which his knowledge of the Maori language and customs made him eminently suited.  He finally retired in 1883, and returned to England, where he died aged 69 at Orpington, Kent, on May 19th, 1885.  

In his day Theophilus Heale was noted for the thoroughness of his survey work.  Stephenson Percy Smith, who succeeded him as Chief Surveyor, considered him to be “the most scientific surveyor in the country”.



Monument - Mt Eden

The Pioneer Land Surveyors of New Zealand – CA Lawn (Manuscript scanned by NZIS 2005)
https://www.surveyspatialnz.org/Attachment?Action=Download&Attachment_id=2653
The Encyclopaedia of NZ 1966: Te Ara - https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/heale-theophilus
Portrait - https://www.geni.com/people/Theophilus-Heale/6000000070720653059
Monument - Mt Eden: https://nctonz.wordpress.com/2015/10/


If you want to suggest a particular “Old Surveyor” that deserves remembering through this forum then please send your suggestion (and any details you may have)  to sec@ics.org.nz.

COMING EVENTS
DATES SUBJECT TO COVID-19 DEVELOPMENTS - DATES SHOULD BE CONFIRMED WITH THE PROVIDER: 
30 August 2021 Rules for Cadastral Survey 2021 (CSR2021) Enacted
9 October 2021 ICS AGM* and Workshop (Rescheduled) – Dunedin Heritage Leisure Lodge
9 October 2021 *Plan "C" ICS AGM – Zoom Meeting 1000hrs*
Link if required:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3561413015?pwd=ZXVmRThNMUdmN1AxRk5tZUh0eXlXQT09
(*Only if Covid-19 Levels and Travel Restrictions Dictate)
19-21 October 2021 12d Technical Virtual Forum – Brisbane, Australia techforum@12d.com 
28-30 November 2021 AuSAE LINC – Leadership, Insights and Networking Conference – Rotorua Energy Events Centre, Rotorua
25 February 2022 Cadastral Survey Rules 2010 (CSR2010) Expire
10-12 March 2022 CSNZ Workshop – Martinborough
THE LAST WORDS
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future. ”  – Franklin D Roosevelt (1882-1945 - 32nd US President)
CLASSIFIED
SITUATIONS VACANT - SURVEYOR
Thomson Survey Ltd, Kerikeri, are seeking to employ a surveyor, a licenced graduate or an experienced technician.
One of our valued employees is moving to the South Island. The work mainly involves cadastral surveying (rural and urban), engineering set-out and topographical.

The position involves a high level of client contact. We are seeking somebody with a pleasant personality who works well in a happy office environment.  The person must be honest with a high level of integrity.  A current driver’s license is necessary. Salary and terms of employment including a job description will be negotiated with the applicant based on experience. The Bay of Island is a wonderful place to live.
Contact :    Denis Thomson 021 407732  denis@tsurvey.co.nz   or    Sam Lee  021 137 0060    sam@tsurvey.co.nz


SITUATION VACANT - LICENSED CADASTRAL SURVEYOR
Access Land Surveying is based in Christchurch. Due to growth in the business they are seeking an experienced Licensed Cadastral Surveyor with a passion for quality work and several years post license experience. Access undertakes work mainly in Canterbury and Buller and occasionally elsewhere in the South Island. They are well equipped with Trimble gear. To learn more about this position check out the full listing here.
SURVEY EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

GeoMax ZOOM30 Pro Manual Total Station:  On board data recorder and software with USB upload/down function; reflector less up to 400m; 3" reading; two face screens.
Manufactured 2014.  $3,500.



Comnav T30 GNSS
2 receivers - Base and Rover pair or use rover in network mode. 574 channels; lightweight; includes R550 Android data recorder loader with Survey Master software.
Manufactured 2019.  $4,000.


 
All the equipment is in mint condition. Anyone interested can contact me on 022 0919503 and I can send additional information and photos of equipment and will show anyone who purchases how it all works.
Brian Shanahan (Auckland)
Thanks to LPMS for their ongoing support of the ICS Express. To get your advertisement in the Express, contact the Secretary.
  1. Avoid or minimise liability claims with industry-specific risk management guidance
  2. Unique insurance policies tailored specifically to cadastral surveyors
  3. Comprehensive cover for commercial drone operations
  4. Specialist Liability claims team to assist and advocate for you
  5. Regular updates and resource library
www.lpms.co.nz
Insurance consultancy provided by AON New Zealand Ltd.
Contact: Katische Remnant, AON New Zealand, (04) 819 4152 or email nz.lpms@aon.com
Copyright © 2021 Institute of Cadastral Surveying Inc., All rights reserved.


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