Buller District Council is trying to find the owners of almost 50 parcels of abandoned land.
The council last month issued a notice of its plans to sell the land, in the hope people might step up to claim it.
Most of the titles are in the Charleston area of the Buller District.
The council says many of the last known owners date back to pre-1900.
The council has been asking anyone with a claim on the notified land to get in touch.
A Will and supporting documentation is needed to support the claim.
If no claims are notified the council will seek a court order that declares the land abandoned, so it can be sold.
