1848
Registration of European births, deaths and marriages commenced.
1856
Registration of European births, deaths and marriages became complusory.
1867
First legislation passed providing for divorce.
1876
Additional information required for birth and death registrations.
1880
Additional information required for marriage registrations.
1894
The Legitimation Act passed allowed for the provision for the re-registration of the birth of any child born out of wedlock where the parents had subsequently married.
1907
Infant Life Protection Act passed allowing a doctor or midwife to notify the registrar of a birth.
1911
Registration of Māori marriages became compulsory
1913
Registration of Māori births and deaths became compulsory. Registration of all stillbirths became complusory. The undertaker made responsible for registering all deaths.
1915
Births of adopted children re-registered under adoptive parents' names.
1916
Age and sex of previous children of the marriage recorded on birth registrations.
1933
Marriage of people under 16 years of age prohibited.
1952
Registration of European and Māori marriages combined.
1954
Changes of name by deed poll registered.
1961
Registration of European and Māori births and deaths combined.
1986
Adoption law reform - possibility of access to original birth entries. | 
