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New Zealand Regional Archives & Cemetery databases

Journal by ngairedith

this week's 'Abundant Genealogy' topic is STATE ARCHIVES
HOWEVER for New Zealand we will call it REGIONAL ARCHIVES ...

New Zealand is an island country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses, the North and South Islands and numerous smaller islands. New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres (900 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. Radiocarbon dating, evidence of deforestation and mitochondrial DNA variability within Mori populations suggest New Zealand was first settled by Eastern Polynesians between 1250 and 1300, concluding a long series of voyages through the southern Pacific islands

The population, as at this writing, is approximately 4 million and we don't have States. The country is divided into Regions (which now differ from the Provinces which were established in 1841. These were simply: New Ulster (North Island north of Patea River, New Munster (North Island south of Patea River, plus the South Island) and New Leinster (Stewart Island/Rakiura)

today there are 16 New Zealand REGIONS and within these regions are many Regional District Councils so I had to find a way to condense all these into a workable, not-too-large, helpful, genealogy database
My original idea of an alphabetical list would have turned out too huge so have divided the country into their regions and added all relevant links that I have found to be very helpful in ancestor research which I know will be of help to you too

During my research around New Zealand I have found that all regions are very proud of their settlers and pioneers and have gone to great lengths, some of them, to preserve their history and provide us with as much information, photos etc as possible. I am going to have to admit to a personal favourite. Because of the obvious large amount of ongoing work that goes into the site:
KETE HOROWHENUA
to this date it contains..
Topics (2,090)
Images (18,960)
Audio (106)
Video (88)
Web links (242)
Documents (2,463)
Discussion (322)
Tags (15,208)
Adopt an ANZAC

NOTE
I have taken this opportunity to add extra helpful links for New Zealand researching, outside the "Regional Council Archives" usually written by people with an interest in the particular district. The following are mostly online archives, of course, every town and city has wonderful libraries, museums etc. I have spent a lot of time at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington and it is an amazing place. Call in if you're in Wellington. I nearly burnt down the old Alexander Turnbull library in 1973, but that's another story :)


NORTH ISLAND
1 ... NORTHLAND
northernmost city in New Zealand
COUNCIL SEAT - Whangarei
Northland Regional & District Councils
Northland Regional Council
* FAR NORTH Cemetery Database for Broadwood, Fairburn, Herekino, Houhoro, Kaei, Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Kerikeri, Kohukohu, Mangonui, Mangungu, Okaihau, Oruaiti, Paihia, Paranui, Peria, Rawene, Russell, Takahue, Totara North, Umawera, Waiharara, Waipapakauri
Far North District Council
Kaipara District Council
Whangarei District Council
* WHANGAREI Cemetery Database for Hukerenui South, Kamo, Kaurihohore (Kauri), Kioreroa, Mangapai, Marua, Mauna, Maungakaramea, Ngunguru, Onerahi, Otonga, Parua, Waikiekie, Waipu, Whareora
* Northland Genealogy Links - Archives & Libraries-Births & Deaths-Cemeteries-General Resources-Mori-Marriages-Message Boards-Military-Obits & Newspapers-Passenger Lists-Societies

2 ... AUCKLAND
largest and most populous urban area with 31% of the country's population
COUNCIL SEAT - Auckland
Auckland Council
* Auckland Genealogy Links - includes link to Auckland Electoral Rolls, Jury Lists and Directories 1865-1871
* SHIPS to Auckland from 1835
* AUCKLAND Cemetery Database for Hillsborough - Onetangi, Waiheke Island - Otahuhu Public - Waikaraka and others
* KAUKAPAKAPA, Rodney. List of names & headstone photos, in alphabetical order
* RODNEY Cemetery Database for Helensville, Hoteo North, Kaipara Flats, Kaukapakapa, Leigh, Matakana, Parkhurst, Port Albert, Puhoi, Stanmore Bay, Te Arai, Te Kapa, Wainui, Wainui Settlers, Warkworth, Wellsford, Whangateau
* Gravestone photographic resource in Rodney districts, Kaipara Flats, Kaukapakapa, Matakana, Warkworth, Wellsford
* PUREWA Cemetery & Crematorium
- This cemetery, a 15 minute drive from Auckland's central business district, is the final resting place for over 45,000 men, women and children, including many of Auckland's notable business and political leaders, clergy and V.C. holders
* WAIKUMETE Cemetery database, largest cemetery in the southern hemisphere

3 ... WAIKATO
COUNCIL SEAT - Hamilton
Waikato Regional & District Councils
Waikato Regional Council
Hamilton City Council
Hamilton Branch NZ Society of Genealogists
* CAMBRIDGE Cemetery Database for Hautapu, Kihikihi, Leamington, Ohaupo, Alexandria (Pirongia), Paterangi, Puahue, Pukeatua, Pukerimu, Te Awamutu
* HAMILTON Cemetery Database for Hamilton East, Hamilton West, Hamilton Park,
Matamata-Piako District Council
Thames-Coromandel District Council
* THAMES Cemetery Database for Buffalo, Christ Church (Anglican), Colville, Mercury Bay, Omahu, Shortland, Tairua, Tararu, Totara Memorial Park, Whangamata
* PAEROA Cemetery Database for Hauraki Plains (Ngatea), Miranda (Mangatawhiri), Pukerimu, Waihi
Taupo District Council
* TAUPO Cemetery Database for Taupo, Turangi, Mangakino
Hauraki District Council
Otorohanga District Council
* OTOROHANGA Cemetery Database for Kawhia, Otorohanga
Rotorua District Council
* ROTORUA Cemetery Database for Kauae, Mamaku, Ngakuru, Reporoa, Rotorua - ... NOTE free Silverlight plug-in is required to search this cemetery
South Waikato District Council
* SOUTH WAIKATO cemetery database for Tokoroa, Putaruru, Tirau
* PIOPIO SOLDIERS
* OLD MORRINSVILLE CEMETERY
- A list of names of those at Thames Street from 1898-2000
Matamata, Piako, Te Aroha, Maukoro, Morrinsville, Waharoa
Waikato District Council
Waipa District Council
Waitomo District Council
* WAITOMO DISTRICT Cemeteries, Te Kuiti (Old and New), Mokau, Piopio, Aria, Te Waitere. Two other cemeteries, at Kiritehere & Mapiu, are closed to burials, but maintained by Waitomo District Council
Search cemetery records by simply entering the person’s name or search using online maps

4 ... BAY OF PLENTY
COUNCIL SEAT - Whakatane
Bay of Plenty Regional & District Councils
Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Tauranga City Council
Opotiki District Council
* OPOTIKI Cemetery Database for Old Military (Kellt street), Opotiki (Waitangi), Woodlands (Ranginui Urupa)
Whakatane District Council
Western Bay of Plenty District Council
Kawerau District Council
* KAWERAU Cemetery Database for Kawerau
Rotorua District Council
* SHIPS to Tauranga 1881
* TAURANGA CEMETERY database for Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Latter Day Saints, Pyes Pa, Presbyterian
... NOTE free Silverlight plug-in is required to search this cemetery
- database does not include information for the Mission Cemetery or Maori Burial Grounds

5 ... GISBORNE
COUNCIL SEAT - Gisborne
Gisborne District Council
* New Zealand Society of Genealogists GISBORNE Branch
* GISBORNE Cemetery Database for Makaraka, Matahiia, Ormond, Motu, Patutahi, Ruatoria, Rakauroa, Taruheru, Te Araroa, Te Puia, Tolaga Bay, Tokomaru Bay

6 ... HAWKES BAY
COUNCIL SEAT - Napier
Hawkes Bay Reginal & District Councils
Hawke's Bay Regional Council
Napier City Council
* NAPIER Cemetery Database
Hastings District Council
Wairoa District Council
* WAIROA administers cemeteries for Frasertown, Morere, Nuhaka, Ruakaturi, Wairoa.
Central Hawke's Bay District Council
* HAWKES BAY CENTRAL Cemetery Database for Forest Gate, Kaikora North, Makaretu, Otane, Pendle Hill (Private), Porangahau, St Peter's Church, Takapau, Tikokino (Hampden), Waipawa, Waipukurau
Rangitikei District Council
* RANGITIKEI Cemetery Database for Bulls (Clifton), Mangaweka, Marton (Mt View), Ratana, Taihape, Turakina
* SHIPS to Napier from 1862

7 ... TARANAKI
COUNCIL SEAT - Stratford
Taranaki Regional & District Councils
Taranaki Regional Council
Stratford District Council
Stratford Branch NZ Society of Genealogists
New Plymouth District Council
New Plymouth Branch NZ Society of Genealogists
* NEW PLYMOUTH Cemetery Database for Awanui, Huirangi, Inglewood, Lepperton, Okato, St Mary's Churchyard, Tarata, Tataraimaka, Te Henui, Tikorangi, Urenui, Waireka, Waitara
South Taranaki District Council
* SOUTH TARANAKI Cemetery Database for Eltham, Hawera, Kaponga, Manaia, Okaiawa, Opunake, Patea
* SHIPS to New Plymouth from 1858

8 ... MANAWATU-WANGANUI
COUNCIL SEAT - Palmerston North
Manawatu-Wanganui Regional & District Councils
Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council
Palmerston North City Council
* PALMERSTON NORTH Cemetery Database for Ashhurst, Kelvin Grove, Terrace End
Stratford District Council
* STRATFORD Cemetery Database for Kopuatama (Main Stratford Cemetery), Midhurst New, Midhurst Old, Pioneer, Tahora, Waipuku, Whangamomona
Manawatu District Council
* MANAWATU Cemetery Database for Alfredton, Dannevirke, Herbertville, Kaitawa, Kumeroa, Mangahao, Mangaoranga, Mangatainoka, Mangatera, Marchant street, Matamau, Newman, Norsewood, Old Gorge, Ormondville, Pinfold Road, Pongaroa, Woodville, Weber
* all the residents of SETTLERS CEMETERY, Dannevirke
* FEILDING Cemetery Database for Feilding, Halcombe, Kimbolton, Pohangina, Rangiwahia, Rongotea, Sandon, Waituna West
Horowhenua District Council
* HOROWHENUA Cemetery Database for Foxton, Koputaroa, Levin, Manakau and Shannon
Rangitikei District Council
Ruapehu District Council
Tararua District Council
* NORSEWOOD Cemetery Database
Waitomo District Council - this surprised me, shouldn't it be in the Waikato region
Wanganui District Council
* WANGANUI Cemetery Database

9 ... WELLINGTON
New Zealand's Capital City
COUNCIL SEAT - Wellington
City & District Councils
Wellington Regional Council
* WELLINGTON Cemetery Database of Bolton St, Karori & Makara
* MOUNT STREET Cemetery Database, all the 1100 known burials so far found in this protected, heritage cemetery (established 6th January 1841)
Porirua City Council
* PORIRUA Cemetery Database
* TAWA FLAT Cemetery List
Hutt City Council
* Christ Church TAITA Cemetery Database
Upper Hutt City Council
* AKATARAWA Cemetery Database
Wellington City Council
* PETONE Cemetery Database
* SOUTH WAIRARAPA, Featherston, Greytown & martinborough
* the ANZACs at FEATHERSTON cemetery
* the ANZACs at MARTINBOROUGH
Kapiti Coast District Council
Masterton District Council
* MASTERTON Cemetery Database
Carterton District Council
* CARTERTON Cemetery Database
* CARTERTON Interactive Map & Database
* SHIPS to WELLINGTON from 1835
* WAIRARAPA ARCHIVES - a collecting archive that aims to collect records relating to the Wairarapa region. It provides access to these collections through an extensive database
* KETE MASTERTON - has been created to capture and preserve the memories, stories and activities of the people of Masterton. Kete (Maori word for basket) can be used by individuals and community groups to upload documents, photographs, audio or video, and then group them together in 'baskets' (Kete)
* WAIRARAPA PAST - Led by Archivist Gareth Winter, they have a wide selection of resources available, including: an on-line digital photograph collection, on-line catalogue, local history books (many out-of-print), photographs and negatives, architectural plans and maps, records of community organisations, newspapers, family information and histories, film, video and oral recordings, school records

SOUTH ISLAND
10 ... TASMAN
COUNCIL SEAT - Richmond
Tasman District Council
* TASMAN Cemetery Database for Bainham; Clifton; Collingwood; Collingwood (Old); Dovedale; East Takaka; Flett Road; Foxhill; Hamama (West Takaka); Kotinga; Mararewa Main Rd.; Motueka Public; Murchison; Pioneer Park; Richmond; Riwaka; Rototai; Sandy Bay; Spring Grove; Stanley Brook; Waimea West, Waiwhero

11 ... NELSON
COUNCIL SEAT - Nelson
Nelson City Council
* NELSON CEMETERIES Database for Fairfield (Trafalgar street), Hallowell (Shelbourne street), Marsden Valley, Seaview Road, Wakapuaka
* SHIPS to Nelson from 1835
* SETTLERS in NELSON 1849

12 ... MARLBOROUGH
COUNCIL SEAT - Blenheim
Marlborough District Council
* MARLBOROUGH cemetery Database for Blenheim, Fairhall, Havelock, Mahakipawa, Omaka, Picton, Seddon, Tuamarina, Ward

13 ... WEST COAST
COUNCIL SEAT - Greymouth
West Coast Reginal & District Councils
West Coast Regional Council
* WESTPORT Cemetery Database for Addison Flat, Boatsman, Charleston, Inangahua Junction, Karamea, Lyell, Mokihinui, Orowaiti, Reefton, Waimangaroa
Westland District Council
* WESTLAND Cemetery Database for Hokitika, Kumara, Ross and Stafford
Buller District Council - with a link to Westport Genealogy and History Group
Grey District Council
* GREY Administered Cemeteries Ahaura, Barrytown, Blackball, Cobden, Gladstone, Greenstone, Karoro, Mori Gully, Ngahere, Notown, Stillwater

14 ... CANTERBURY
COUNCIL SEAT - Christchurch
Canterbury Regional & District Councils
Canterbury Regional Council
CHRISTCHURCH Cemetery
* AKAROA Electoral Roll for 1856-1857
Mackenzie District Council
* MacKENZIE Cemetery Database for Albury, Burkes Pass, Fairlie, Twizel
Ashburton District Council
* ASHBURTON Cemetery Database by surname list
Hurunui District Council
Selwyn District Council
* CONTACT for information regarding people buried in the cemeteries
Bishops Corner, Brookside, Dunsandel, Ellesmere, Ellesmere Caholic, Greendale, Hororata, Killinchy, Kimberley, Kirwee, Kowai Pass, Lake Colleridge, Lincoln, Prebbleton, Shands Road, South Malvern, Springston, Waddington, Weedons Wesleyan
Kaikoura District Council
Waimate District Council
Waimakariri District Council
* WAIMAKARIRI Cemetery Database for Birch Hill, Cust-Mairaki, Kaiapoi Anglican, Kaiapoi Public, Oxford Public, Rangiora Park Lawn
Waitaki District Council
Timaru District Council
* TIMARU Cemetery Database
* SHIPS to Lyttelton from 1835

15 ... OTAGO
COUNCIL SEAT - Dunedin
Otago Regional & District Councils
Otago Regional Council
* DUNEDIN Cemetery Database for Andersons Bay, Allanton (Greytown), Broad Bay, East Taieri, Green Island, Green Park, Hindon, Macandrew Bay, Northern Cemetery, Otokia, Port Chalmers, Portobello, Purakaunui, Southern Cemetery, Waikouaiti (Hawksbury), Waitati (Blueskin), West Taieri
* CAVERSHAM Electoral Roll Database South Dunedin Electoral Rolls for 1893, 1896, 1899, 1902, 1905, 1911, 1914, 1919, 1922, 1925, 1928, 1931, 1935, 1938
Clutha District Council
Queenstown-Lakes District Council
* QUEENSTOWN Cemetery Database for Arrowtown, Cardrona, Frankton, Glenorchy, Kingston, Makarora, Queenstown, Skippers Point and Wanaka
Central Otago District Council
* MANUHERIKIA Roll of Electors 1865 - 1866
Waitaki District Council
* SHIPS to Port Chalmers from 1835
* DUNEDIN ELECTORAL ROLLS 1893 - 1938

16 ... SOUTHLAND
southernmost city in the Commonwealth of Nations
COUNCIL SEAT - Invercargill
Southland Regional & District Councils
Southland Regional Council
* SOUTHLAND Cemetery Database for Athol, Balfour, Braggs Bay, Calcium, Centre Hill, Clifden,Colac Bay, Dipton, Eastern Bush, Edendale, Forest Hill, Forest Hill (Cameron), Fortrsoe (New), Fortrose (Old), Garston, Halfmoon Bay, Hedgehope, Horseshoe Bay, Jamestown, Lumsden, Lynwood, Mokoreta, Nokomai (Southern), Oraka, Orepuki, Otautau (New), Otautau (Old), Quarry Hills, Riversdale, Riverton (New), Ruapuke, Ruapuke (Te Kiri Kiri), Ryal Bush, Stewart Island (Lee Bay), Stewart Island (Lonnekers), Stewart Island (Ringaringa), Stewart Island (Ulva Island), Tararua Acre, The Neck, Tokanui, Tuatapere, Waikaia, Waikaia Old Chinese, Waikawa, Wairio (Nightcaps), Wakapatu, Wallacetown (New), Wallacetown (Old), Winton (East), Winton (Old), Woodlands, Wreys Bush, Wyndham.
Invercargill City Council
* INVERCARGILL Cemetery Database for Bluff, Eastern Cemetery, Green Point, St James, Southland
Southland District Council
Gore District Council
Gore Branch NZ Society of Genealogists
* GORE Cemetery Database for Charlton, Gore, Mataura, Otaraia, Pukerau, Waikaka
* SHIPS to Bluff from 1863

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GREAT SITES that will help in your research
- (ALL very helpful sites so put here in alphabetical order) -

ARCHWAY New Zealand
- contains descriptions of over 1.5 million records that have been transferred from government agencies to four offices in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin & Wellington. Increased as additional records are added to the system. Also a wealth of information about the government of New Zealand from 1840
NOTE Archway contains descriptive information only; it does not yet provide on-line access to the text of the records themselves but details may be ordered

BIRTH - DEATHS - MARRIAGES
- This site allows you to search and order historical records without being issued with an igovt ID

DICTIONARY of New Zealand BIOGRAPHY
- a major historical project funded by the New Zealand government through the Department of Internal Affairs

JUSTICE and JURY LISTS
- Wellington and Canterbury 1845 - 1868

NATIONAL LIBRARY of NEW ZEALAND
- Self explanatory, very large site

New Zealand CEMETERY DATABASE and MAP
- Visit Murray's fantastic cemetery database. It contains all known cemeteries
in New Zealand. Many Cemeteries link to web sites with burial records, plot maps, photos, historic articles etc

NEW ZEALAND ELECTRONIC TEXT CENTRE (NZETC)
- Here you can search and browse an open digital library of New Zealand and Pacific Island documentary heritage material as well as new born-digital work and research from Victoria University

New Zealand GENEALOGY search
- opens at New Zealand but is a World Wide Directory of Free Genealogy Databases and Record Transcriptions. Has a lot of Regional links

IMMIGRANT SHIPS to New Zealand 1835 - 1910
- over 400 passenger lists unique to this website

New Zealand HISTORY
- An excellent site by Robbie Whitmore with a search engine, many, many links, photos, a history forum, watch or learn the Haka, Mori folk songs, tattooing & art, gold rush days, NZ wars - everything Kiwi from pre European to todays news

New Zealand MUSEUMS A site for you to explore New Zealand museums, art galleries, cultural organisations and their collections per Region

New Zealand Society of Genealogists
- FAMILY HISTORY - PRESERVING OUR PAST FOR THE FUTURE

PAPERS PAST
- Papers Past contains more than two million pages of digitised New Zealand newspapers and periodicals. The collection covers the years 1839 to 1948 and includes 130 publications (at Feb 2016) from all regions of New Zealand and they add newspapers often

WAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM Cenotaph
- search for Soldiers who served in the Wars

if you know any other good 'Regional Archives' for NZ please leave a comment

_________

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy
week 33
ANCESTOR LEGEND

week 34
GENEALOGY CHALLENGES

week 35
GENEALOGY FRIENDS

week 36
ANCESTORS PHOTOS

week 37
STATE ARCHIVES

week 38
FUNNY ANCESTOR STORY

week 39
SOCIETY JOURNAL or QUARTERLY

week 40
WILD CARD

week 41
PAST GENEALOGY RESOURCES

week 42
BIGGEST GENEALOGY ACCOMPLISHMENT
_______________________________________________________

PHOTO
location of New Zealand

Surnames: NONE
Viewed: 9755 times
Likes: 2
by ngairedith Profile | Research | Contact | Subscribe | Block this user
on 2012-09-08 21:39:19

ngairedith has been a Family Tree Circles member since Feb 2008.

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Comments

by anniec on 2012-09-17 15:45:03

Wow Ngaire, thank you, i havnt found half of the cemeteries you have listed here. Gives me some inspiration to carry on searching, Cheers Annette

by suemcl on 2013-09-28 23:25:34

Thank you so much for this -= what a fantastic resource.

by suemcl on 2013-09-28 23:35:14

I've found this site to be really helpful as well (not sure how to put it in as a link...)It has public records that have been filed with the courts. Great for Probates and divorce etc. Not sure if it's already on here - just started going through things... so much to look at!
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/RefineItemBriefDescSearch.do

by ngairedith on 2019-06-02 14:35:33

UPDATED
I have just checked this 7 year old journal and nearly every link was broken 😒
I hope I have fixed them all now

External sites often change their site addresses without warning. If you ever see any broken links on my journals/postings please let me know

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