Archives

What are Archives?

Ruapehu District Council hold a wide variety of records related to local government in the Ruapehu District.

The archives cover a significant period of New Zealand history in the area administered by Council and its predecessors. The archives include the records of a large number of local authorities ranging from the early Town Boards and District Roads Boards to the Borough and County Councils, and the District Council.

Archives are the records that are made or received and accumulated during the life of an organisation or person. They are preserved because of their continuing evidential or informational value, and are generally unique and irreplaceable.

Who uses the Archives?

All those who are interested in local history and the development of the Ruapehu District and its environs, such as local historians, academic and school researchers and genealogists, or for one-off local interest enquiries.

Where do our Archives Come From?

Ruapehu District Council holds archives from previous local authorities (prior to 1989) including:

• Kaiteke County
• Taumarunui County Council
• Taumarunui Borough Council
• Taumarunui and District Co-ordinating Committee
• Taumarunui Fire Board
• Ohakune Borough Council
• Ohura County
• Raetihi Borough Council
• Waimarino County Council
• Waimarino District Council

Where Do I Go to See the Archives?

Requests for information need to be made to Council. The main archives are stored in Taumarunui, either in the main Administration Building in Huia Street, or off site. As Council does not have dedicated Archives staff you should contact Council to make an appointment. If the information you require is stored off-site, there will be a charge for staff to remain on the site and supervise your access.

Queries may also be made via email or phone. In this case, the information is supplied under the Local Government Information and Meetings Act and a charge will be made for staff time involved and any photocopying/scanning required. Staff will advise you of the cost, which must be paid before the information is released (see Form below).

When requesting information please ensure you have noted the reference number, title and date of the entries you are interested in, and clearly state what information you are hoping to locate. Please note that some material may be too fragile to copy, and that there may be limitations placed on some parts of the archives- either due to restricted content or extreme fragility of the items.

Please Note: Some information on current files will not be available due to commercial sensitivity or they are related to specific staff (eg, personnel files).