Justice Centre | 19 Aitken Street
DX SX10088 | Wel ington
T 04 918 8800 |
F 04 918 8820
[email address] | www.justice.govt.nz
77 August 2024
Mary Brown
[FYI request #27772 email]
Our ref: OIA 114316
Tēnā koe Mary
Official Information Act request: Historical information
Thank you for your request of 22 July 2024 to the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry) under the
Official Information Act 1982. Specifically, you requested:
1. Why is the New Munster link on the NZ Gazette website inactive, and where can
pre-1841 Gazette entries be found?
2. Why do Gazette items only start from 1841, and where can official notices for pre-
1840 events be located?
3. Why is the year 1843 excluded from the acts enacted in New Zealand, and what is
the significance of missing years on the legal website? Which governing bodies were
active during these periods, and what are the functions of imperial acts stil in force
today?
4. Why was a German Imperial Consul responsible for certain authorizations in New
Zealand, and where can original land deeds for the Chatham Islands, especially those
related to the Engst families, be found?
5. Where are the official documents for the 1900 German treaty located, and why are
they exclusive to the Wellington branch? How wil access be improved for those
outside Wellington?
6. Where did Charles Brown emigrate from in 1849 and 1854, and where are their
naturalization documents with reference numbers? Where can related Gazette notices
be located?
We have transferred parts 1, 2, 3 and 6 to the Department of Internal Affairs as the information
is believed to be more closely connected with the functions of them. In these circumstances,
we are required by section 14 of the Act to transfer your request.
With regards to parts 4 and 5 of your request, the information you have sought is not held by
the Ministry. You may wish to contact Archives NZ where you can seek assistance for an
archivist. You can contact Archives at: archives.govt.nz/about-us/services-we-offer/ask-an-
archivist/ Alternatively, you may wish to search the collections yourself at:
archives.govt.nz/research-guidance/how-to-use-collections-search/collections-search/ You
may also want to contact the Chatham Islands Council at: cic.govt.nz/your-council/requests-
for-information/ or Land Information New Zealand at: linz.govt.nz/about-us/information-
releases/official-information-act-requests/
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at: justice.govt.nz/about/official-information-act-requests/oia-responses/.
If you are not satisfied with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the
Ombudsman under section 28(3) of the Act. The Office of the Ombudsman may be contacted
by email to [email address] or by phone on 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Louise Ainsley
Manager, Ministerial Relations and Services
