Professional ethics, conduct and obligations of a licensed cadastral surveyor
Statutory and professional duties
A licensed cadastral surveyor holds a statutory title under the Cadastral Survey Act 2002. The Cadastral Surveyors Licensing Board administers licensing and discipline. The surveyor primary duty is to the integrity of the cadastre: certify only what is true, independent of client pressure. Professional codes such as the NZIS code add honesty, competence, confidentiality and conflict-of-interest duties.
Certification and competence
Certification is a serious act. Signing a CSD you did not supervise, or certifying a boundary you have not checked, can lead to discipline. Continuing professional development is expected. If you lack competence, you must decline or obtain expert help.
Worked example
A client asks you to shift a boundary 0.5 m to include a garden. You explain that the boundary is fixed by the original marks and plan, and that moving it would mislead the register. You offer lawful options: a boundary adjustment, easement or sale. You document the advice. The ethical duty to the cadastre outweighs client loyalty.
Traps
Treating the client as the only stakeholder; failing to declare a conflict; breaching confidentiality without lawful reason; and certifying work you have not reviewed. These are common disciplinary triggers.