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Useful experience for survey technicians includes:

• work as a survey assistant
• draughting, engineering and cartography work
• tramping, orienteering and map reading experience
• experience in other outdoor pursuits.

Survey technicians may do some or all of the following:

• take measurements and plot out land divisions using survey equipment such as total stations (small, tripod-mounted digital telescopes that measure distances and horizontal and vertical angles)
• process data and make calculations gathered from fieldwork and surveys
• make observations, record measurements, and collect other data about the land
• draft and interpret plans for land use
• prepare reports using the measurements and data calculations
• supervise the work of survey assistants.

Shortage of survey technicians increases employment chances

Chances of getting a job as a survey technician are good as there is a shortage of workers. Reasons for this include:

• many survey technicians have left the industry or moved overseas
• an increase in the number of building and construction projects, such as KiwiBuild 
• ongoing infrastructure projects.

As a result, the job of surveying or spatial science technician appears on Immigration New Zealand's construction and infrastructure skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled survey technicians from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 408 survey technicians worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Demand for survey technicians highest in Auckland

Demand for survey technicians is highest in Auckland due to an increase in construction and infrastructure projects in response to the city's population growth. 

Demand for survey technicians is steady in Christchurch, but the building and construction work following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes is nearly complete.

Types of employers varied

Survey technicians typically work for:

• private surveying practices
• land developers
• local government
• mining companies
• construction or civil engineering consultancies.

New Zealand Institute of Surveyors (NZIS)

(04) 471 1774 - nzis@surveyors.org.nz - www.surveyspatialnz.org

Survey technicians may progress to set up their own business by becoming a fully qualified surveyor, or move into management roles. 

Survey technicians may specialise as a:

Survey Photogrammetrist

Photogrammetrists specialise in determining the size and scale of objects in photos.

Aerial Survey Technician

Aerial survey technicians specialise in creating reports and data from aerial photographs and the reference points that can be identified on them.

Survey technicians need to be:

• methodical and accurate
• patient
• able to work well under pressure, as they often work to deadlines
• able to work independently as well as in a team.