What we have

Learn what types of public record you can find and access at Archives New Zealand.

Ask an archivist

Contact an archivist for help with your research.

How to research archives

Tips to help you discover and find archives that are relevant to your topic, and links to useful research resources.

Definitions of archival terms

Record listings in Collections search can be confusing if you're not familiar with the language we use. Check the meanings of words we use to describe our records.

Research guides

Find out what archives we have on your topic, how to find them, and what information they contain. 

• Audiovisual collections ⟩
• Citizenship and migration ⟩
• Education ⟩
• Employment ⟩
• Health ⟩
• Identity ⟩
• Land ⟩
• Law and the Courts ⟩
• Māori ⟩
• Photography and art ⟩
• War records ⟩
• Welfare ⟩
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade historical records ⟩

Access restrictions

Learn how to get permission to view a restricted record.

Copying and citing archives

Check how to cite or reference an archival record if you use it in your research.

Visit our reading room

Opening hours, phone numbers and addresses for our reading rooms in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. 

• Reading room guidelines ⟩

How to use Collections search

Advice and guides to help you use our new Collections search – create an account and sign in, find records, and use advanced search and the filter.

• Get started with searching ⟩
• Advanced searching and filtering ⟩
• Definitions of archival terms ⟩
• Create an account and sign in ⟩
• Collections search improvements ⟩
• Collections search - search strategies ⟩