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How To Find Your Boundary Pegs in NZ

Knowing your Boundaries

One of the most common questions we as surveyors get asked is how to find your boundary pegs. Usually it is from people looking to build a fence or extend a deck, but it can also be from neighbours who are concerned about the activities on a bordering property. Understanding the precise boundaries of your property is crucial for various reasons, including legal compliance to avoid encroachment and other issues; planning construction projects whether a fence or a sleep-out, and maintaining good relations with a neighbour whether you share a driveway or a fence or the fruit from trees along a boundary.

The Importance of Knowing Your Property Boundaries

As noted, knowing the exact boundaries of your property is essential for several reasons:

• Legal Compliance: Building structures such as fences, garages, or extensions within your property's limits ensures you conform to local regulations and prevents encroachments onto neighbouring lands. This could get you in trouble with your local council and risk legal action from an angry neighbour.
• Preventing Disputes: Clearly defined boundaries help avoid conflicts with neighbours over land ownership, access and usage. Misunderstandings about property lines can lead to disputes, which may escalate into legal battles that can cost you a lot and delay any plans you had. ​Neighbours sometimes have informal agreements about land use, but formal boundaries need to be known by both parties if there is a change of ownership or one party wants to change the old informal agreement.
• Property Value: Accurate knowledge of your property's extent can affect its valuation and is crucial during buying or selling transactions. If you misunderstand the total size of your property you could get less for it in a sale, and if you don't have accurate records of your section this could make some potential buyers suspicious.

 

 

How to Find Your Boundary Pegs

Boundary pegs, also known as survey pegs or boundary markers, are physical indicators placed by surveyors to demarcate property lines. Traditionally in NZ they are wooden square pegs painted white, and sometimes they can be steel pins or discs if they need to be placed in concrete or a fence. For a new section the pegs are often easily visible, but if a section has been around for decades the pegs could have sunk or be covered by all manner of things from compost bins to garden sheds to spa pools. Here are the steps to locate your boundary pegs:

Step 1: Obtain Property Records

• Land Title and Survey Plan: Acquire a copy of your property's title and survey plan, which detail the dimensions and boundaries. These can be acquired from your lawyer or a surveyor for a small charge.

Step 2: Conduct a Physical Search

• Inspect Your Property: Walk along the perimeter of your property to locate existing boundary pegs which are normally in straight lines and typically positioned at boundary corners.​
• Check Near Fences and Corners: Look around fence lines, corners, and other boundary features where pegs are commonly placed.​ You might need to have a dig with a spade if you think the pegs have been there for decades, but always be careful of underground lines and pipes.

Step 3: Use Online Resources with Caution

• Council Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Some local councils offer online GIS maps showing approximate property boundaries. However, these should be used cautiously, as they may not be accurate, especially in rural areas. ​

Step 4: Consult with Neighbours

• Neighbour Discussions: Your neighbours might have information about shared boundary markers or previous surveys. Engaging in open communication can provide insights and foster good relations.​

Step 5: Hire a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor

• Professional Land Surveyors: If boundary pegs are missing or their positions are uncertain, it's advisable to hire a licensed cadastral surveyor. They can accurately re-establish boundary lines, replace any lost or removed pegs, and most importantly update any official records whether online or filing documentation.

On no account should you attempt to place or move boundary pegs yourself.  In New Zealand, it's an offense under the Cadastral Survey Act 2002 to knowingly or recklessly remove boundary pegs or move them, and you can face a fine of up to $2000 for each marker that is tampered with.

We sometimes get asked to check boundaries by people who think their neighbour is trying to 'steal' a bit of their land.   There are plenty of cases in New Zealand law of disputes that have cost parties a lot of money, time and stress. Sometimes something minor that could have been clarified fairly easily by a cadastral surveyor and clear communication with neighbours can escalate to a legal battle.

Boundary encroachment issues are possibly the most common dispute when structures like garages or fences are accidentally (or sometimes intentionally) built over property lines. In these situations the current landowner is legally responsible for the encroachment, regardless of who erected the structure. Getting a resolution can sometimes escalate to neighbours negotiating and buying the land in question, going through the process of boundary adjustments, or taking legal action under the Property Law Act 2007. ​

Accurately identifying your property's boundary pegs is essential for legal compliance, preventing disputes, safeguarding your property's value, and assessing opportunities for subdividing. By obtaining the necessary documents, conducting thorough inspections, consulting with neighbours, and engaging professional surveyors when needed, you can confidently establish your property's boundaries.

Always do proper due diligence when assessing boundaries and seek professional advice to avoid potential legal complications. Our experienced cadastral surveyors can help you find your boundary pegs and clarify your boundaries anywhere across the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Coromandel Regions.

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