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Land Surveyor - Personal requirements

Kairuri Whenua

Skills & knowledge

Land surveyors need to have:

the ability to interpret and use land-based information from maps, graphic drawings and measurements taken in the field
knowledge of survey methods
knowledge of physics and maths, particularly trigonometry
computer skills and the ability to use computer-aided design (CAD) software
good general knowledge of environmental issues, earth sciences and civil engineering
understanding of issues such as land rights, land ownership and boundary definitions
understanding of relevant legislation such as the Resource Management Act, local by-laws and town planning regulations
skill using surveying equipment
communication skills
writing skills for producing reports
problem-solving skills
planning and organisational skills
design skills.

"Knowledge is very site-specific. Eventually you gain the experience to walk around and weigh up site considerations on a case-by-case basis."

Andrew Taylor - Land Surveyor

Personal Qualities

Land surveyors need to be:

creative and able to visualise how a piece of land could be developed
adaptable, as they may work on different types of projects
able to work under pressure and to deadlines
keen on the outdoors
practical and impartial
methodical and precise when taking measurements.

"You have to have good people skills, which can be slow to develop because you may not have much contact with clients until your second or third year on the job."

Rebecca Strang - Land Surveyor

Physical Requirements

Land surveyors need to have a good level of fitness and be reasonably strong, as they may need to carry measuring equipment into the field. They also need good eyesight (with or without corrective lenses) and good hand-eye co-ordination to use surveying equipment.

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Updated September 2009

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