Land Information New Zealand has closed its public counters and all land sales now have to be lodged electronically.
The Government department HAS also making access to its reading rooms in the five main centres by appointment only, which has raised concerns among historians and genealogists who browse land records for their research.
They are worried historic records will eventually be unavailable for public viewing and say the new system is convoluted and expensive for hobbyists.
Land Information New Zealand spokesperson Sharon Cottrell says the public will still be able to view records by appointment and the organisation is working on turning all its records digital.
Ms Cottrell says making all land sale registrations lodged electronically will mean lower fees and more efficiency.
The public counters were closed on 23 February.
