Investigating a historic kāinga

Start with the documentary reference, not a point placed from memory.

Research chain

source passage → name variants → historical map → Māori land/cadastre → imagery → LiDAR → wai/terrain → other records

1. Capture the exact passage

Record source, page, date, spelling and surrounding geographic clues such as two miles upstream, opposite..., block name or road.

2. Search names

Use the New Zealand Gazetteer and place-name workflow, but keep a name not found in the Gazetteer as a valid research candidate rather than discarding it.

3. Find historical cartography

Search MapsPast, survey plans, Māori Land Court plans and archival maps. Georeference a map when it contains enough stable control.

4. Establish modern framework

Add current parcels/roads/addresses for orientation, not as proof of the historical settlement extent.

5. Read the landscape

Historical aerial imagery and LiDAR can reveal terraces, tracks, vegetation boundaries or former channels consistent with the documentary clues.

6. State the result as evidence level

Use terms such as documented location, approximate area, candidate location or hypothesis. Do not convert a loose documentary clue into a precise archaeological point.

See Archives to map and Historical aerial imagery.

Last reviewed: 26 August 2026