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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CSLB Law Exam Exam

60%

Passing Score

CSLB

120 min

Time Limit

+10m reading time

10 months

Experience Prerequisite

S+SNZ

Rule 32

PRM Referencing

CSR 2021

Section 218

Subdivision Definition

RMA 1991

NZ$280

Member Exam Fee

S+SNZ (+GST)

The Cadastral Law Examination (CSLB Law Exam) requires a 60% score to pass. It is held annually by S+SNZ on behalf of the CSLB. It acts as a mandatory prerequisite for the licensing professional exam, testing candidate competence on the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021, RMA 1991 subdivision law, Land Transfer Act 2017, and Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993.

Sample CSLB Law Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CSLB Law Exam exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary statutory purpose of the Cadastral Survey Act 2002 regarding the cadastral system?

A.To establish a government-owned surveying company to complete all cadastral surveys in New Zealand

B.To provide a regulatory framework for cadastral surveying that ensures public confidence in land boundary definition

C.To mandate that all boundary disputes must be resolved by the Surveyor-General rather than the courts

D.To regulate the fees that cadastral surveyors can charge their private clients

Explanation: Under Section 3 of the Cadastral Survey Act 2002, the purpose of the Act is to provide a regulatory framework that ensures public confidence in the integrity of land boundary definitions, and to maintain an accurate and secure system of land title representation.

2Under Section 24 of the Cadastral Survey Act 2002, what right is granted to a licensed cadastral surveyor to perform a survey?

A.The right to enter any land at any reasonable time, with or without notice, to place permanent survey marks

B.The right to enter any land at any reasonable time, subject to giving reasonable notice to the occupier, to perform a cadastral survey

C.The right to register a caveat against any neighboring land that shows a boundary discrepancy

D.The right to modify fences and structures on neighboring land to align with title boundaries without consent

Explanation: Section 24 of the Cadastral Survey Act 2002 authorizes a licensed cadastral surveyor, or any person authorized by them, to enter any land at any reasonable time to conduct a cadastral survey, provided they give reasonable notice to the occupier of the land.

3Which entity is responsible for making the Rules for Cadastral Survey under the Cadastral Survey Act 2002?

A.The Minister for Land Information

B.The Cadastral Surveyors Licensing Board (CSLB)

C.The Surveyor-General

D.The Chief Executive of Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)

Explanation: Section 49 of the Cadastral Survey Act 2002 empowers the Surveyor-General to make rules specifying the standards for cadastral surveys and cadastral survey datasets (CSDs).

4Under the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021, what is the default horizontal accuracy tolerance for a Class A boundary point relative to another?

A.0.03 m

B.0.06 m

C.0.15 m

D.0.20 m

Explanation: According to Table 2 of the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021, the horizontal accuracy tolerance for a Class A boundary point is 0.06 m. This standard is typically applied in urban environments where land values and development densities are high.

5What is the horizontal referencing tolerance for a Class B boundary point to non-boundary reference marks under Table 1 of the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021?

A.0.03 m

B.0.15 m

C.0.20 m

D.0.60 m

Explanation: Under Table 1 of the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021, the horizontal referencing tolerance between a Class B boundary point and a non-boundary mark is 0.20 m. This is applied to semi-urban or rural residential areas.

6When conducting a survey that defines Class A boundary points, what is the maximum distance a Permanent Reference Mark (PRM) can be from any boundary point required to be referenced under Rule 32 of CSR 2021?

A.50 m

B.150 m

C.300 m

D.500 m

Explanation: Rule 32(1)(a) of the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021 requires that for Class A boundary points defined by survey, each of the three mandatory PRMs must be within 150 meters of at least one boundary point required to be referenced.

7Under Rule 32 of the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021, what is the maximum distance a Permanent Reference Mark (PRM) can be from a Class B boundary point that is required to be referenced?

A.150 m

B.500 m

C.1,000 m

D.1,500 m

Explanation: Rule 32(1)(b) of the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021 specifies that for Class B boundary points defined by survey, each of the required PRMs must be within 500 meters of a boundary point required to be referenced.

8Under Rule 32 of the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021, how many Permanent Reference Marks (PRMs) must be used or established to reference a boundary point defined by survey?

A.At least 1

B.At least 2

C.At least 3

D.At least 4

Explanation: Rule 32(1) of the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021 mandates that a CSD must contain at least three Permanent Reference Marks (PRMs) that are used to reference the boundary points under survey.

9For a survey that defines height-limited boundary points, what additional requirement applies to the PRMs under Rule 32 of the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021?

A.All three PRMs must have physical markers situated above ground level

B.At least two of the required PRMs must have a reduced level (height)

C.Every PRM must be directly connected to a tide gauge station

D.The PRMs must be Class A horizontal control marks

Explanation: Rule 35 of the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021 states that if a survey defines height-limited boundary points, at least two of the required PRMs must have a reduced level (elevation) in terms of an official vertical datum.

10Which of the following boundary types is EXEMPT from the boundary point referencing requirements under Rule 32 of the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021?

A.Urban residential boundary points

B.Right-line boundaries on rural lifestyle blocks

C.Points on water boundaries or irregular boundaries

D.Easement boundary corners

Explanation: Rule 32(3) of the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021 exempts boundary points on water boundaries, water centre-line boundaries, or irregular boundaries from the referencing requirements.

About the CSLB Law Exam Exam

The Cadastral Law Examination is a professional licensing requirement for graduate surveyors in New Zealand. It evaluates your ability to apply boundary definition law, the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021, subdivision planning under the RMA 1991, and land title registration under the Land Transfer Act 2017 to practical surveying scenarios.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours (120 minutes) with 10 minutes reading time

Passing Score

60%

Exam Fee

NZ$280 + GST (Members) / NZ$380 + GST (Non-Members) (Survey and Spatial New Zealand (S+SNZ) on behalf of Cadastral Surveyors Licensing Board (CSLB))

CSLB Law Exam Exam Content Outline

45%

Cadastral Survey Rules 2021 & Cadastral Survey Act 2002

Boundary definition evidence, conflict resolution, geodetic connection, Class A/B/C tolerances, and PRM referencing rules.

20%

Resource Management Act 1991

Meaning of subdivision (Section 218), Section 223/224 approvals, esplanade reserves and strips, and amalgamation conditions.

15%

Land Transfer Act 2017

Torrens title registration, indefeasibility and its exceptions, caveats, adverse possession, easements, and limited titles.

10%

Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993

Māori land status (customary vs freehold), partition compliance under the RMA, MLC jurisdiction, and occupation orders.

Unit Titles Act 2010

Unit plans, accessory unit restrictions, common property vesting, and redevelopment plans.

Other Legislation

Property Law Act 2007 (encroachments, landlocked land), LGA 1974 Section 348, Public Works Act 1981, and Takutai Moana Act 2011.

How to Pass the CSLB Law Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 60%
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 2 hours (120 minutes) with 10 minutes reading time
Exam fee: NZ$280 + GST (Members) / NZ$380 + GST (Non-Members)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CSLB Law Exam Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the accuracy tolerances in Table 1 (referencing) and Table 2 (boundary-to-boundary) of the Cadastral Survey Rules 2021.

2Understand the hierarchy of boundary definition evidence (Monuments > Fences > Plan dimensions). This is heavily tested in practical scenarios.

3Be clear on the difference between esplanade reserves (which vest in the council) and esplanade strips (which are covenants and ambulatory).

4Review the intersection of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act partitions with the Resource Management Act subdivision consents.

5Practice referencing specific sections and rules, e.g., Rule 32 of CSR 2021, Section 218/223/224 of RMA 1991, and Section 51 of LTA 2017.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing mark for the NZ Cadastral Law Exam?

The pass mark is 60% of the total 100 marks. The exam contains both compulsory questions (usually covering the Cadastral Survey Rules and RMA) and optional questions that allow candidates to select specific areas of legislation to answer.

How often is the CSLB Cadastral Law Exam held?

The exam is typically conducted once per year, usually in June or July. Registrations are managed by Survey and Spatial New Zealand (S+SNZ) on behalf of the Cadastral Surveyors Licensing Board.

What are the eligibility requirements to sit the CSLB Law Exam?

Candidates must hold an approved professional surveying degree (such as the BSurv from the University of Otago) and have completed at least 10 months of post-graduation practical experience in land title in New Zealand before sitting the exam.

Does passing this exam make me a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor?

No. Passing the Cadastral Law Exam is a compulsory prerequisite. After passing, you must complete further professional training, prepare a set of projects (CSDs), and pass the CSLB Professional Examination (which includes a practical/interview component) to become licensed.

What happens if I fail the Cadastral Law Exam?

If you do not achieve the 60% pass mark, you will need to re-sit the examination at its next annual offering. There is no limit on retakes, but you must register and pay the examination fee for each attempt.