Special feature – managing the dynamics of the New Zealand spatial cadastre

In 1995, a dynamic cadastre, based on a dynamic geodetic datum, was proposed for New Zealand to recognise that all cadastral boundaries are in motion. Subsequently New Zealand implemented a semi-dynamic geodetic datum which is accompanied by a deformation model. In 2010 and 2011, the Canterbury region in the South Island of New Zealand was subjected to a sequence of earthquakes that resulted in some boundaries being ruptured by up to 4 metres. A set of localised deformation models was developed to model the seismic movements. The implementation of these models and their accuracy are addressed in this paper.