Food and Drink
We have resources to help cooks and food lovers - from cookbooks to food history and food dictionaries.
We have a great selection of cookbooks covering all dietary requirements from plant-based to gluten-free. Search for a particular cuisine, like Thai, Mexican or Vegetarian. If baking or brewing is more you we have books available.
We have a great collection of food and drink magazines both in libraries and online.
Read about chefs and the history of food, find out about health and wellbeing that food can provide.
Find out more about
Don't toss out your tomatoes!
Every year New Zealanders throw away 157,398 tonnes of food. We have tips, books and resources on reducing food waste.
The Food Farm comes to the City!: WORD Christchurch 2026
Malcolm's looking forward to a meal at Gatherings with chef Alex Davies and Angela Clifford and Nick Gill, authors of The Food Farm.
New this week
Every week we publish just ordered, new fiction, and new non-fiction lists. Find out the newest titles added to the library collection.
Crafting for Wellbeing: DIY Beeswax Food Wrap (afternoon)
Sep 19th | 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Learn how to make a beeswax food wrap. These are a great sustainable alternative to plastic wrap, $5.85 including booking fee.
Don't toss out your tomatoes!
Every year New Zealanders throw away 157,398 tonnes of food. We have tips, books and resources on reducing food waste.
The Food Farm comes to the City!: WORD Christchurch 2026
Malcolm's looking forward to a meal at Gatherings with chef Alex Davies and Angela Clifford and Nick Gill, authors of The Food Farm.
New this week
Every week we publish just ordered, new fiction, and new non-fiction lists. Find out the newest titles added to the library collection.
Crafting for Wellbeing: DIY Beeswax Food Wrap (afternoon)
Sep 19th | 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Learn how to make a beeswax food wrap. These are a great sustainable alternative to plastic wrap, $5.85 including booking fee.
Food and Cooking
Drinks
Kiwi cuisine
Books We Love - Edmonds Cookery Book
Terrisa shares another favourite - a true Kiwi classic the Edmonds Cookery Book. It is hardly unique in New Zealand to own a treasured…
History's kitchen: Jugged hare just like granny used to make
Joyce delves into the cookbook offerings of the gentlefolk of Papanui in 1903. Who were they (and why were their recipes so terrible)?
Canterbury Stories: Hāngī
Explore a selection of photographs from our collection that showcase the preparation of kai in our local communities.
WORD Christchurch 2020: Annabel Langbein 'Bella'
Helen reports back on an evening of foodie wisdom and colourful stories, with Annabel Langbein.
Books We Love - Edmonds Cookery Book
Terrisa shares another favourite - a true Kiwi classic the Edmonds Cookery Book. It is hardly unique in New Zealand to own a treasured…
History's kitchen: Jugged hare just like granny used to make
Joyce delves into the cookbook offerings of the gentlefolk of Papanui in 1903. Who were they (and why were their recipes so terrible)?
Canterbury Stories: Hāngī
Explore a selection of photographs from our collection that showcase the preparation of kai in our local communities.
WORD Christchurch 2020: Annabel Langbein 'Bella'
Helen reports back on an evening of foodie wisdom and colourful stories, with Annabel Langbein.
Traditional Māori kai
The Māori word for food is kai. Find out about traditional Māori food sources and food preservation practices.
New For You - Quirky - August 2026
Something a little different. An eclectic mix of new titles ranging across the library's nonfiction collection.
New For You - Food & Drink - July 2026
Find healthy eating, local and international cuisine, ideas for family meals, and baking in our latest cookbook picks.
New For You - Quirky - August 2026
Something a little different. An eclectic mix of new titles ranging across the library's nonfiction collection.
New For You - Food & Drink - July 2026
Find healthy eating, local and international cuisine, ideas for family meals, and baking in our latest cookbook picks.
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Pick Food & Drink or Crafts & Hobbies from our newsletter options under Topics.
