Archives of the Dunedin City Council

The Dunedin City Council Archives hold a wide variety of records related to local government in the Dunedin City Council area.

The archives cover a significant period of New Zealand history in the area administered by the Dunedin City 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 City Council.

Records of interest are

Minute books and correspondence of Council's committees and boards.
Photograph collection containing images of people, activities and places.
Building permit records - these date from 1901.
Electoral rolls for local authority elections - not a complete set but useful for family history research.
Rates and valuation records that are useful for researching specific properties.
Indexed collection of maps - these show changes to the area over the years.
Departmental Reports - these provide a snap shot of the activity of Council in any particular year starting from 1907.

Services provided

Finding aids.
Reading Room where archives may be consulted.
Archivists help with the use of finding aids, and to assist with your enquiry.
Written and e-mail enquiries answered.
Telephone enquiries - it is a good idea to make an appointment as the Archivist is not able to be in the archives room all the time.
Photocopying - there is a charge of $1 per copy for standard copying. Colour and special copying are charged as stated in our Reference Service Policy (PDF, 35kb, open in new window)
A Guide to Family History Sources (PDF, 141kb, open in new window)
Copies of old photographs may be ordered - the price varies with the size and quality required.

Contact details

The Archives are located in the basement of the Civic Centre Building, and are opened:

Monday - Wednesday: 9am - 4pm

Thursday - Friday: 9am - 1pm

Postal Address:

Dunedin City Council Archivist
PO Box 5045
Dunedin 9058

Contact details:

Telephone (03) 474 3553
Fax (03) 474 3594
E-mail archives@dcc.govt.nz

Last reviewed: 21 Sep 2009 3:51pm