Archives New Zealand
Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga holds government archives that can connect historical events, land administration, surveys, roads, rivers and public works to places.
Archway has been replaced
Do not send readers to old Archway instructions. Archives New Zealand says Archway was retired when the current Collections search was launched, and its data is now out of date.
Start at Archives New Zealand and use Collections search.
Search by record language
Archive descriptions often use agency/file language rather than modern GIS terms. Try combinations of:
- block name
- old and current place name
- survey district
- river/stream name
- road/public works term
- department or land district
- file/series reference found in another source
A Gazette notice or Tribunal footnote can provide the exact archive reference that makes the search much easier.
Maps and plans may sit inside files
A catalogue description can refer to a file containing correspondence, sketch plans and maps rather than a standalone map item. Record both the archive item ID and the page/image number used in GIS.
Spatial workflow
- capture archive title, agency/series/item ID and date
- download or photograph the relevant map/document where available
- transcribe place/block names exactly
- georeference only when the source has useful control
- digitise interpretation into a separate layer with source reference
See Georeferencing historical maps.
Last reviewed: 26 August 2026