Historic rates records database
The database contains transcribed details for property rolls (rate records) of the Wanganui Town Board (1862-1872), the Wanganui Borough Council (1872-1924), the Eastbrook / Wanganui East Borough Council (1907-1912), the Gonville Town Board (1907-1924), the Castlecliff Town Board (1909-1924) and the Wanganui City Council (1924-1928).
Search the database
Historic Maps, Plans and Posters
Explore our collection of original historic maps, plans, public auction and land sale posters. These items show how the Whanganui suburbs were originally laid out and subdivided. These plans also detail how our city has grown and changed over time.
These maps are organised by suburb, making it easy to find the suburb or street you are interested in. See how boundaries, streets and sections have evolved over time.
View the Streets of Whanganui: Street Name Changes reference guide(PDF, 847KB) for historic rates records, prepared by Nola Clark.
About these records
This database brings together property roll (rate record) information from five original Whanganui local authorities:
- Wanganui Town Board (1862-1872).
- Wanganui Borough Council (1872-1923).
- Eastbrook / Wanganui East Borough Council (1907-1912).
- Gonville Town Board (1907-1924).
- Castlecliff Town Board (1907-1924).
- Wanganui City Council (1924-1928).
If you would like more information, get in touch with our council archivist
Points of interest
Ownership changed frequently in early Whanganui. Many sections were owned by military men who settled here after leaving service.
In the earliest records, the town is divided into three wards: Cooks, Queens and St Johns. Areas outside the town are described as suburban blocks.
Some areas are not included in the earlier records. Wanganui East (Eastbrook), Gonville and Castlecliff each had their own Town Boards. These areas appear in the database from 1924, when they merged to form the Wanganui City Council.
Street names have changed over time, and some early names are no longer used. The book Streets of Wanganui by Athol Kirk (1978 & 1989) can help identify locations.
Surnames are not always recorded accurately in the original records. Where possible, the correct spelling has been added.
Women’s names appear frequently, as properties were often purchased in their names to protect assets from bankruptcy.
The Industrial School Estate and College Estate refer to what is now Whanganui Collegiate School.
Understanding the records
Owner / occupier
The occupier is the person who paid the rates. The owner holds the freehold title. In many cases, this is the same person.
Rates
Rates are based on land value, capital value, or a fixed charge applied to each separately used or inhabited part of a property.
Rates amount paid
Amounts are shown in pounds, shillings and pence (for example, 20.6.4).
New Zealand used this system from 1840 to 1967, before switching to decimal currency.
1 pound = 20 shillings
1 shilling = 12 pence
1 pound = 240 pence
Valuation number
Valuation numbers can change over time. The same property may have different numbers in different years.
Council
The records come from three councils responsible for collecting rates:
- Wanganui Town Board (1862–1872)
- Wanganui Borough Council (1872–1924)
- Wanganui City Council (1924–1989)
Archives references
Archive references help identify the original records.
Example 1
AAF:65:15
AAF = Wanganui Borough / Wanganui City Council
65 = Rate book series number
15 = Rate book volume number
Example 2
AAS: 276:1
AAS = Wanganui Town Board
276 = Rate book series number
1 = Rate book volume number
Legal description
A legal description identifies the exact location and boundaries of a property for legal purposes, such as ownership transfers.
Some records show land area using older measurements, such as:
Both mean 3 acres, 1 rood and 24 perches.
Project history
From left: Sonia Wooding, Nola Clark, June Springer, Sue O’Connor, Frances Haddock
The Property Roll (rating database) volunteer project originally started in 1999. Between 1999 and 2006 some 80,592 individual historical Whanganui rate records were added to the database from the Wanganui Town Board (1862-1872) and the Wanganui Borough Council (1872-1923) rate records. These initial entries covered the time period 1862 until 1922.
Following significant interest from heritage staff, volunteers and members of the public, the project was reconvened in June 2018. Whanganui District Council is very grateful to the wonderful volunteers who have undertaken the work since this date: June Springer, Joan Egan, Frances Haddock, Nola Clark, Sue O’Connor, Sonia Wooding and Carol Tong.
This project was completed in May 2024.
There are now 154,963 individual urban Whanganui rate records available for the public to search, covering the period 1862 until 1928. Whanganui – From Settlement to City.