New Zealand’s death records are an essential resource for genealogists researching family histories in this Pacific nation. Official civil registration of deaths began in 1848, providing standardized records across the country. These records typically include key details such as the deceased’s name, date and place of death, age, cause of death, and family relationships.
For earlier periods, church records, cemetery inscriptions, and Māori oral traditions serve as vital sources of information. The Māori Births and Deaths Registration Act of 1913 introduced separate records for Māori deaths, though earlier documentation can be found in mission and church registers.
New Zealand’s history, shaped by its Indigenous Māori heritage, European settlement, and waves of immigration, is reflected in these records. Supplementary sources, including obituaries, probate files, and newspaper archives, help fill gaps in earlier documentation. These records are invaluable for tracing ancestry, preserving family connections, and understanding the country’s cultural and historical evolution.
For genealogists, New Zealand’s death records provide an essential link between past and present, offering insights into family histories across both Māori and Pākehā (European) communities. They serve as a cornerstone for those seeking to uncover personal stories and heritage in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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Birth, Marriage & Death
Death, Burial, Cemetery & Obituaries
- New Zealand, Index of Burials, 1840-2008 3,239,136 records
- New Zealand, Death Index, 1840-2021 2,430,605 records
- New Zealand, Auckland Burials 394,259 records
- New Zealand, World War I Service Personnel and Reserves Index 355,584 records
- New Zealand, Dunedin Burials 187,233 records
- New Zealand, Wellington City Burials 185,902 records
- New Zealand, Canterbury, Christchurch Burials 151,548 records
- New Zealand, Hamilton City Burials 89,542 records
- New Zealand, New Plymouth Burials 67,336 records
- New Zealand, Palmerston North Burials 63,724 records
