The total land area of the two main islands of New Zealand is close to 65,500,000 acres (26.5 million hectares)
Prior to 1840 there had been many claimed purchases of land by Europeans from Maori tribes. In most cases there was some document purporting to be a deed of sale. And whilst many of the sales were undertaken in good faith by both parties, many others were much more questionable. After the signing of the Treaty in 1840 the British Crown stopped all sales of land except through the government and appointed Land Commissioners to review all claims to land purchases prior to 1840.
Initially there were claims to a total area of between 45 million acres and 65 million acres ( ie: the total land area of NZ) but the commissioners were able to reduce the area actually under claim to around 10 million acres.(excluding the NZ Company claims which were dealt with separately).
After many years of hearings the actual area of land granted to the claimants was around 300,000 acres. However it should be noted that the balance of the land between the area claimed and the area granted was deemed ‘surplus’ land and the Crown took ownership of it, ultimately subdividing the land and selling it to new settlers.
The first recognised purchase of land was that of Thomas HANSEN who’s son claimed that Thomas had purchased land in 1814 (Kororareka). He was ultimately granted 23 acres at Rangihoua Bay
The second purchase was that by Samuel MARSDEN on the 24th February 1815 for land at Oihi, Bay of Islands.
references: The Old Land Claims in New Zealand by Jack LEE