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Survey plans and marks

When a parcel polygon is not enough, survey plans and survey records are the next layer of evidence.

LINZ Web Search describes several common plan types:

  • DP — Deposited Plan: plan deposited when titles are created; can contain boundaries, area, dimensions and survey detail.
  • SO — Survey Office plan: survey observations and cadastral evidence needed to determine boundaries.
  • ML — Māori land plan: Māori land subdivision or partition plans.
  • LT — Land Transfer plan: approved land-transfer survey plan before new titles are created; it becomes deposited when titles are issued.

Why plans matter in historical Māori land research​

A Pātaka Whenua order may refer to an ML plan. A later title may refer to a DP. Following those references can show how a named block was partitioned or incorporated into the modern cadastral framework.

Survey marks​

Survey marks provide physical/geodetic control used by surveyors. LINZ publishes survey-mark and geodetic information, but a GIS point should not be treated as permission to disturb or rely on a mark without the appropriate survey context.

Useful tasks include:

  • orienting a historical plan
  • tracing parcel lineage
  • checking legal road creation
  • understanding boundary dimensions and bearings
  • connecting an old block description to current parcels

Georeferencing a plan​

If a scanned historical plan has enough stable control, use Georeferencing historical maps. Keep the original image unchanged and record the control points/transformation used.

Official source: LINZ: Types of property records that can be searched for.

Last reviewed: 26 August 2026

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