Articles
Kevin Birch has been writing articles for local newspapers since the company was established in 1989. Originally these were published on a weekly basis, and are now published monthly. The articles are written with the general public in mind and are informative and usually based on current events pertaining to land development and the Resource Management Act. The company's team of Surveyors in Pukekohe, Auckland and Hamilton ensure that they are up to date and participate in all significant plan changes proposed by Councils in their area and these articles serve to keep the public informed of these changes. Changes to relevant legislation is also discussed, along with articles on new technology, significant changes in the Company, and major events effecting Surveyors, such as the Christchurch Earthquake. Periodically the articles provide information on the subdivision process or explain terminology used in the Industry.
Over the years, we have received very positive feedback from these articles from people from many walks of life, and now provide through these pages copies of historical articles. These are updated at least monthly. Please feel free to browse - selected years can be chosen from the selection tools. If you have any comments on any articles please contact us through the contact page. Enjoy reading.
Xmas message
15 December 2013
From the Staff, Shareholders and Directors of Birch Surveyors Ltd, Seasons Greetings to all our friends, family, clients and colleagues.
Special Housing Areas
19 November 2013
Special housing areas will create an accelerated approval process resulting in more sections being available in shorter time frames.
Proposed Unitary Plan has been notified
15 October 2013
Auckland Council have now released their Proposed Unitary Plan. Once the statutory process is completed (likely to be 3 years), this document will become the primary Planning document guiding the use and development of land across the whole of Auckland ..
Company Day Out
10 September 2013
Last Friday, I decided it was time for the team to have an early Spring day off, and to get together for some fun and good food. Our apologies to anyone trying to contact us on that day! Read about our day out
Further RMA reforms
16 August 2013
As part of the ongoing reforms to the Resource Management Act, the Government recently announced some proposed 2013 changes to the Act. Read on to learn about what is changing..
Where have all the Surveyors gone?
16 July 2013
Where have all the Surveyors gone?? Since the start of the year we have been recruiting additional Surveying Staff both nationally through our Institute’s Website and through our own website, as well as through sites such as “Seek”.
Unitary Plan for Auckland update
15 May 2013
As reported in February, Auckland Council released a draft Unitary Plan for discussion purposes in March of this year. [For background information see my February article at www.birchsurveyors.co.nz/articles/auckland-council-unitary-plan.html]
Oxfam Trailwalker Completed
19 April 2013
Carl, Kelly, Tim & Brett of Birch Surveyors organized a team, raised funds, trained hard, and competed over the weekend of 6th and 7th April, along with 293 other teams (making it the largest event so far), and finished in 29 hours 05 mins 44 secs.
Improving our Resource Management System
18 March 2013
The Government has recently released a discussion document entitled “Improving our resource management system”. This article provides links to that document..
Auckland Council Unitary Plan
18 February 2013
Auckland Council is due to release their first draft Unitary Plan by the end of March 2013. This document will, once adopted, replace all zoning and planning controls for Auckland
Bereavement of John William Maggs
17 January 2013
It is with much sadness that I advise that our friend and colleague, John William Maggs passed away suddenly on 27th December 2012. John was the Survey Manager at Birch Surveyors since 2004 and would have had contact with many landowners over the