How this website can help you

This website provides guidance on requesting records

The aim of Kōnae is to guide you through the process of requesting personal information about you or whānau (with their permission) in records that were created by organisations involved in decisions about your guardianship or care.

This website provides information about requesting records and about your rights to do so, including: 

• what your rights are to access records about you or your whānau
• what records might exist
• who holds records
• how to request records
• what you might receive when you request records
• what you can do if you are unhappy about what records you received or the process of getting your records. Learn about your rights.

This website does not have your records or personal information 

This website provides information about the organisations that made decisions about people’s guardianship, care, and living arrangements, and about the residences, homes, and institutions that people stayed in. 

This website also provides information, tips, and advice about how to request records from each organisation. 

• You can use our map tool to help you search for places where you stayed and learn who holds records from these places, and how to request them. 

People have told us that seeking your records may be difficult and can bring up a range of emotions. We have suggestions about where you can find support to help you.

There are many reasons why people might want or not want their records  

Some of the reasons we have heard from people about why they want their records include: 

• knowing what has been said about them
• filling in gaps in their memories
• finding information about their whakapapa (family history)
• finding supporting information for their claim for redress. 

All reasons are valid, and your reasons will be personal to you.