Tēnā koutou e te whānau o Muaūpoko,
If you’re searching for information about your Muaūpoko whakapapa, you’re in the right place. Many whānau are reconnecting with their tūpuna, whenua, and iwi identity, and there are several trusted places to assist your journey. This guide outlines the best starting points, key websites, and official records to help you trace your Muaūpoko lineage.
1. Start with your own whānau
The most reliable and meaningful information often comes from those closest to you.
- Speak with parents, aunties, uncles, grandparents, and kaumātua.
- Ask for names, birthplaces, marae connections, and any known links to hapū or tūpuna.
- Gather photos, old letters, diaries, certificates, and family stories.
Even small details can unlock big connections later.
2. Use genealogy and whakapapa websites
There are several online platforms that can help you trace family lines, locate records, and build a family tree.
General genealogy sites:
- FamilySearch (free): https://www.familysearch.org
- Ancestry (subscription-based): https://www.ancestry.com
- MyHeritage: https://www.myheritage.com
These sites often hold birth, marriage, death, and census records that can help confirm dates and relationships.
3. Māori-specific resources
These are especially helpful for tracing iwi, hapū, and whenua connections.
a. Māori Land Court (Te Kooti Whenua Māori)
Search for your tūpuna in land block records, succession orders, and ownership lists.
https://www.maorilandcourt.govt.nz
b. Māori Land Online
A searchable database of Māori land blocks and owners.
https://www.maorilandonline.govt.nz
c. Archives New Zealand (Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga)
Holds historical records, military files, school rolls, and more.
d. Births, Deaths & Marriages NZ
Official certificates can help confirm key details.
https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
4. Visit local libraries, museums, and archives
Many hold regional histories, whakapapa books, and early settler/Māori records.
a. National Library of New Zealand https://natlib.govt.nz
b. Puke Ariki, Te Papa, and regional museums often have iwi-specific collections.
5. Keep a clear record of everything you find
Whakapapa research is a journey.
- Write down dates, names, and sources.
- Note where information came from (whānau kōrero, certificates, websites).
- Build your tree slowly and carefully to avoid mixing lines.