I have been following these discussions of old LINZ records avidly. Thanks to all those who have contributed. I am interested in Otaki records from the 1880s and 1890s. My great grandfather Robert Staveley was a solicitor there from late 1880s onwards and worked in the Maori Land Court, mostly representing Maoris. This was how he was able to obtain land in Otaki, directly from the Maori Land Courts. He had extensive holdings, mostly town plots and beachfront at Otaki. He still had most of it when he died in 1931. As you can imagine there were no streets in those days, just a few cart tracks through the sand hills. But I have been told that in order to see my great grandfather's deeds I must know the street address AND house number. These I don't have. So I was wondering if anyone can tell me if it's possible for me to search a property deed as early as the 1880s when I only know the name of the owner: Staveley. Also does anyone know what has become of Otaki deeds, are they ! at Archives NZ in Wellington too? Thanks everyone. Kae Lewis