Crown grants

Crown grant documents provide evidence of grants of Crown land to individuals. Some were the result of a purchase; others were in reward for military or other service to the Crown. Some are still current. 

The Crown grants were issued under the Royal Instructions of 1840 to Governor Hobson and later by legislation such as the Crown Grants Act and the Land Act. There are 2 types: 

• bound volumes 
• New Munster grants. 

Where you can find Crown grants 

There is a full national set of Crown grants at Archives Wellington. 

Only some of the Crown grant originals can be copied, so you will likely need to view these in person. 

You will need to know the land district, and the Crown grant number or book number. For example, CG 12345. You can find these references if you know: 

• the description of the land as originally granted. This takes you directly to the record
• where the land is located. This allows you to go through the registration district registers held by us or work back through the prior references on the title documents. 

Archives Wellington