The most important question to ask when preparing to search the records of Archives New Zealand for information on Whakapapa is "How did my tupuna come into contact with the government?"
Whakapapa can be found in a large number of records held at Archives New Zealand, the main sources being the Māori Land Court records, and the records of the Native and Māori Affairs Department.
The following are some suggestions of records that could contain information on tupuna. They may be a useful place to start searching.
Civil registration of births, deaths and marriages has only been compulsory for Māori since 1911 (marriages) and 1913 (births & deaths). Before this, church registers may record some Māori births, deaths and marriages.
There is a Birth Register (1926-1935) in the archives of the Treasury Department from Waikeri in Te Tai Tokerau that provides the date and place of birth of the child, and information concerning name, occupation and hapu of the parents.
The registers of births, deaths and marriages are held by the Department of Internal Affairs in the Central Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. For information about requesting searches or copies of certificates, and the costs involved, contact:
Some case files of Māori adoptions are held in the records of the Māori Affairs Department. These records are restricted for privacy reasons. They were, however, published from 1902-1956 in the New Zealand Gazette.
The Māori Land Courts were also able to make adoption orders. These may be referred to in the Minute Books, although the actual records would be held at the Māori Land Court District Office.
There are also records relating to Māori adoptions 1923-1952, in the archives of the Child Welfare Department, however they are also restricted for privacy reasons. [CW W1982, 4.15.21]
Other information on both Māori and general adoptions is located at Archives New Zealand, however this information is restricted and the best way to access it is through:
There are a number of census records from different areas in New Zealand and different dates. These include:
There are a number of registers held at Archives New Zealand that contain information of interest to Māori.
Wills were generally probated through the High Court nearest to the usual place of residence for the deceased. However, some wills left by Māori were probated through the Māori Land Court or the Māori Trustee.
Where an entry appears in the Minute Books of the Māori Land Court, the actual probates remain at the District Offices of the Māori Land Court.
Archives New Zealand holds records transferred from courts around New Zealand. Information can be found in the court records of both criminal and civil case files relating to Māori that are of particular interest to genealogical researchers. These records include:
There are also correspondence, memoranda and circulars written in te reo Māori, and Northern Māori Election papers relating to the 1893 poll, held in the archives of the Magistrates Court, Waimate.
Native/Māori School records 1879 - 1969 are held at Archives New Zealand, Auckland Office, and have been indexed by school name. These are the records relating to approximately 450 Māori Schools, which were transferred by the Department of Education, and by some of the former Māori Schools. These schools were integrated into the State system in 1969. These records include a number of topics, including the following:
Although Archives New Zealand is a repository for government records, the holdings also contain details of prominent public figures. These include photographs, letters, case files, personal papers, political papers and departmental interest files. Some individuals on whom information is held include: