Archives and historical records

Kāinga Ora maintains records on New Zealand’s social housing history, including property plans, historical photos, and archived research. Whether you’re a homeowner, researcher, or historian, these records provide valuable insights into former state-owned properties and housing policies.

Accessing our records

Most records are held by Archives New Zealand(external link) and can be accessed via Archway(external link). These archives include documents from:

• Housing Division of the Ministry of Works
• State Advances Corporation
• Housing Corporation of New Zealand
• Housing New Zealand Ltd

Other agencies, including Police, Education, Māori Affairs, Corrections, and Post Office, also owned state houses at different times.

Want to find a specific record? Visit Archives New Zealand(external link).

Property information and house plans

We hold building and drainage plans, often sought by homeowners, councils, and renovators.

Plans available:

• Over 20,000 – 30,000 microfiche plans for homes build between 1937 – 1987.
• Some building and drainage plans have been scanned and can be emailed at no cost.
• Printed plans are not yet digitised.

Note that limited records exist for: Manawatū, Taranaki, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty.

How to request a plan

• Provide the property address.
• If possible, include a drainage plan reference number (available from your local council).
• Allow processing time:
  • Scanned plans: Sent within days if retrievable.
  • Unscanned plans: May take several weeks to retrieve and scan.
  • Hard copies: Longer processing times.

Note that more information may be requested where it is difficult to identify a plan.

Want to request a house plan? Contact Archives New Zealand(external link).

Historical photographs

Our archive features a large collection of historical photographs, including:

• State house construction and subdivisions
• Building industry developments
• Staff portraits and team photos
• Historical images of former Kāinga Ora agencies

Need to request a photo?

Make a request to our Records Team to see if a photograph is held. 

For photos of identifiable individuals, a written request is required to confirm your relationship to the person.

Books on state housing

Dr. Ben Schrader, We Call It Home: A History of State Housing in New Zealand (2005)
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage and with the support of Housing New Zealand, provides a detailed account of the development of state housing, exploring its impact on communities, tenant experiences, and changing public perceptions over time.

Peter Shaw, A History of New Zealand Architecture (1997)
Examines how historical, cultural, and environmental influences have shaped the the evolution of New Zealand’s architectural styles.

Gael Ferguson, Building the New Zealand Dream (1994)
Explores the evolution of state housing in New Zealand, examining government policies, architectural trends, and the social impact of public housing initiatives.

A. D. Trlin, Social Welfare and New Zealand Society (1977)
Examines the development of New Zealand’s social welfare system, exploring its policies, historical context, and impact on society.

Cedric Firth, State Housing in New Zealand (1949)
Published by the Ministry of Works, provides an in-depth look at New Zealand’s early state housing initiatives, featuring architectural plans, photographs, and insights into the design and construction of public housing.

Interested in these books? Check NZHistory.net.nz(external link)

Archived research and reports

Housing market reports (2003 – 2005)

These reports covered house prices, rent trends, and home affordability. Historical reports are viewable at Reports and Publications

These reports have been replaced by the National Housing Market Report(external link) (MBIE).

Housing Research in New Zealand

The Centre for Housing Research Aotearoa New Zealand (CHRANZ)(external link) provides independent research on housing trends. 

Evaluations of Housing New Zealand’s past housing initiatives are reported in the Annual Report and Statement of Intent.