Recognising the ground-breakers, pioneers, individuals and the industry that has shaped our history and continues to be the foundation of our communities.
22nd March, 2023 Surveying is considered to be one of the oldest professions in the world, dating back to ancient Egypt when surveying techniques were first used to divide land for taxation purposes around 3000 BC. This approach created a land ownership registry that marked land boundaries for taxation purposes.
Throughout history, surveyors have remained at the forefront of discovery and shaping our world to its current existence by exploring the unknown on earth and in space. In 2013, the Budapest declaration was signed, leading to the establishment of Global Surveyors’ Day, which is celebrated worldwide as a way to honour those past and present leaders who have contributed to shaping the industry.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is committed to ensuring the sustainable use and management of our land and natural resources. In Tonga, the work of surveyors was introduced to fulfil the constitutional direction and requirements of allocating land to all Tongans, including the subdivision of town and tax allotments.
The Ministry’s survey records show that surveying started in Tonga in 1907 with two overseas surveyors. In the following year, Moulton Finau, a Tongan who was trained overseas, joined the work and became the first Tongan Surveyor. Subsequently, Tongan Surveyors, including Inoke Siosateki Veikune in 1926, Sione Latu’ila Tongilava in 1953, and Tevita Amanaki Puniani in 1955, followed. In 1958, Lord Tu’I’afitu, Lord Fakafanua, and Lord Vaha’i, together with To’ofohe Loketi and Kelepi Po’uliva’ati, became surveyors. Kelepi Pouliva’ati, who is still alive today, is one of the pioneers. In 1962, returning scholars Aisake Folaumoetu’i and ‘Etueni Tupou completed their surveying training in NZ and became surveyors.
In 2017, Siotasia Malolo Koi became Tonga’s first female surveyor after graduating with a BA in Surveying. In 2021, Ansela Paea Fifita became the second female surveyor after graduating with a BA in Surveying from Otago University.
The first Global Surveyors’ Day was launched on Wednesday, 21 March 2018, exactly in the middle of the Land and Poverty Conference at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC, USA. The establishment of this day recognises the ground-breakers, pioneers, individuals, and the industry that have shaped our history and continue to be the foundation of our communities.
To learn more about Global Surveyors Day and the work of surveyors, contact us on 7401301 or email us at enquire@lands.gov.to.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources