Aotearoa History
Explore the history of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Aotearoa History
Hīkoi!: Māori empowerment, protest, and activism in Aotearoa
A mix of titles looking at the history of Māori protest and activism in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Author Talk: Michael Belgrave's Becoming Aotearoa
Troy reports back from Michael Belgrave's book launch for his general history of New Zealand at Scorpio Books Wednesday 30 October 2024.
Blood and Dirt by Jared Davidson Review
Troy reviews Blood and Dirt: Prison Labour and the Making of New Zealand, a book about how prison labour was vital to shaping Aotearoa.
Koroneihana and Kīngitanga
This page has information and links to books and articles on the history of Kīngitanga and the selection process for Māori kings and queens.
New Zealand History Collection
Access major and authoritative New Zealand history and biography published by Bridget Williams Books.
Local history
Tī Kōuka Whenua
Explore the vibrant past of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region that extends back many hundreds of years before 1850.
Canterbury Stories
Online collections from our digitised archives, publications, & photographs. Includes Photo Hunt images, exhibitions, image sets, & more.
Discovery Wall
Tūranga is the home of NZ’s largest digital touchwall. Find out more, and how you can contribute to this unique heritage resource.
Ancestry Library Edition
Trace your family history. Includes records from U.S., U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Access on library computers.
Book a Librarian - At the Library or At Home
Need help using library resources? Book a librarian for a FREE individual 30 minute session. Get help at the library, or over the phone!
Aotearoa History
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The Treaty of Waitangi
An agreement made between Māori and the British Crown in 1840, it is New Zealand’s founding document. Read our backgrounder to the Treaty.
Treaty of Waitangi for kids
Meet Whetū Marama and her Koro (grandfather) as they find out about Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
1918: Influenza epidemic
In November 1918 Christchurch was affected by the influenza pandemic sweeping the world - 462 (out of a population of 92,773) people died.
Parihaka
There was a peaceful resistance to a militia invasion of Taranaki settlement Parihaka 5 November 1881. Discover the Christchurch connection.
About Te Kerēme
Te Kerēme is a selective index to the Ngāi Tahu claim, the material from the Ngāi Tahu Māori Trust Board Claim before the Waitangi Tribunal.
Family history guide
Whether you're just beginning to look into the history of your family or a seasoned researcher we have a wealth of resources that can help.
First World War 1914 to 1918
Explore our resources on the First World War, 1914 to 1918.
The New Zealand International Exhibition 1906-1907
The New Zealand International Exhibition was held in Hagley Park from 1 November 1906 to 15 April 1907 attracting nearly 2 million visitors.
Te Pūtake o te Riri, He Rā Maumahara 28 October
28 October marks the national commemoration of Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa (The New Zealand Wars).
Finding out about the New Zealand Wars with Vincent O'Malley
Acknowledging a selective collective memory: Finding out about the New Zealand Wars with Vincent O'Malley: WORD Christchurch
Podcast - The New Zealand Wars
Episode from specialist human rights radio show Speak up - Kōrerotia about official commemoration of The New Zealand Wars, 28 October.
Whakapapa guide
A guide to using library resources in researching whakapapa, (Māori family history).
Vincent O’Malley: Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa
Vincent O’Malley: Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa - WORD Christchurch Shifting Points of View 2019
Suffrage Day and Women's Rights
Today is Suffrage Day. It's the day we set aside to commemorate and celebrate the efforts of women (and men) who, 122 years ago campaigned…
20 years: Ngāi Tahu Deed of Settlement
Commemorating Hui-ā-Iwi 2017 at Tuahiwi Marae, with Ngāi Tahu coming together to reconnect and celebrate.
The Living Mountains: WORD Christchurch Festival 2021
Going looking for history - Tā Tipene O'Regan & Nic Low (Ngāi Tahu) talk about Kā Huru Manu & the old mountain trails in the atlas.
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