This guide aims to suggest how you might research Whakapapa and highlights some resources to use.

“Whakapapa is the core of traditional mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge). Whakapapa means genealogy. Other Māori terms for genealogy are kāwai and tātai. Kauwhau and taki refer to the process of tracing genealogies.”

Rāwiri Taonui. 'Whakapapa – genealogy - What is whakapapa?', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 17-Dec-14
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/whakapapa-genealogy/page-1

Nō hea koe? Where are you from?

This question is asked when meeting or being introduced to people you do not know. It is also the question whakapapa research seeks to answer. Your search for whakapapa is likely to require you drawing on family knowledge, published sources and official records.

Starting your research should begin with identifying what you know. From there you can consider using the resources mentioned in this guide.

These three titles will help you start your search, check if our print copies are available:

• Joyce, B., Mathers, B., & Ormsby, O. (2008). Whakapapa : an introduction to researching Māori and Pākehā-Māori families, their history, heritage, and culture. Wellington, N.Z.: New Zealand Society of Genealogists. Māori Interest Group.
• Roberts, J., & Love, M. (2006). Layer upon layer: Whakapapa. Cambridge, N.Z: Wotz Wot.
• Royal, T., & New Zealand. Historical Branch. (1992). Te Haurapa : An Introduction to Researching Tribal Histories and Traditions.

Library guides to whakapapa resources

• Auckland Libraries
• Auckland University
• Christchurch City Libraries
• Otago University Hocken Collections
• Māori Interest Group of the  New Zealand Society of Genealogists

When compiling the life of an individual consider:

Groups or organisations they were involved in, these may be religious, political or social. For those that served in the armed forces look for  Military Service Records

Newspaper notifications of key events like births, marriages and deaths.

Māori Maps