Navigating New Zealand’s Research Libraries: For Technology Professionals

This post is motivated by the fact that I am an Auckland resident, a technology and hangarau educator, and a researcher. I have visited MOTAT several times, but it wasn’t until my visit in August that I discovered the research library.

View from Walsh Memorial Library to Entrance A
Looking from Walsh Memorial Library over to Entrance A.
Walsh Memorial Library is a hidden gem!
The library is a hidden gem. Find this blue sign, head around the corner and you’re there!
Walsh Memorial Library exterior
I found the team at Walsh Memorial Library very helpful and thoroughly enjoyed my tour of the facilities.

The Walsh Memorial Library at MOTAT is a well-hidden, but invaluable resource for technology teachers, lecturers, and researchers. It houses a rich collection focused on Auckland’s social history and New Zealand’s transport and technology, featuring Ephemera & manuscripts, maps, pictorial items and oral histories. Items can be accessed on-site or requested online. For more details, visit the Walsh Memorial Library page.

Other Research Libraries in New Zealand

    1. Auckland Museum Research Library, Te Pātaka Mātāpuna, has a focus on the social, artistic, and commercial history of Tāmaki Makaurau.
      • Hours: By appointment Tuesday to Thursday from 10 AM to 3 PM.
    2. Bill Laxon Maritime Library at the New Zealand Maritime Museum is dedicated to exploring Aotearoa’s maritime history. The library’s extensive collection includes archives, books, and magazines focused on navigation, shipping, migration, and the history of Auckland’s ports. 
      • Hours: The library will be reopening in October after its relocation to improved storage is complete. Open on Thursday from  10 AM to 4 PM, or by appointment from Monday to Wednesday (a $10 entry fee is charged at the main door).
    3. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, has a national collection of documentary heritage, including manuscripts, books, photographs, and sound recordings. 
      • All of these libraries provide access to portions of their collections online. Of note, the Papers Past collection!
      • Hours: Reading rooms are open from Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM and on Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM. You will need to pre-register as a reader. There is no charge to register. 
    2. Te Papa Tongarewa, Museum of New Zealand has two research reading rooms, with Te Aka Matua providing for most humanities subject visits and The Hector Room supporting most natural history inquiries.
      • Hours: Both sites are available by appointment only, Te Aka Matua from Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM, and The Hector Room on Wednesdays from 10 AM to 12 PM. 
    3. Wellington City Archives, focuses on local government records and historical documents related to Wellington from 1840.
      • Hours: By appointment only, Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM.

There are an amazing number of libraries in New Zealand. Check out the directory maintained by National Library of New Zealand – https://natlib.govt.nz/librarians/directory-of-new-zealand-libraries