History
Explore library resources about history - including world history, New Zealand history, local history, and family history.
In the library catalogue
More in the library catalogue
New For You - History & Current Events - February 2026
New titles that explore history and global issues including politics, media, climate change, racism and more.
Ngā Pounamu Māori - Kohitātea 2026
Recent additions to our Ngā Pounamu Māori Collections for Adults and Tamariki.
New For You - History & Current Events - January 2026
Our selectors look at some new additions that explore history and global issues including politics, media, climate change, racism and more.
New For You - History & Current Events - February 2026
New titles that explore history and global issues including politics, media, climate change, racism and more.
Ngā Pounamu Māori - Kohitātea 2026
Recent additions to our Ngā Pounamu Māori Collections for Adults and Tamariki.
New For You - History & Current Events - January 2026
Our selectors look at some new additions that explore history and global issues including politics, media, climate change, racism and more.
Bridget Williams Books BWB Online Collections
Deep, rich and high-quality New Zealand non-fiction eBooks brought together online.
New Zealand Geographic
Writers, photographers and scientists tell the story of NZ in this online magazine archive. Includes video, podcast, and photography.
ICS Cadastral Index
Survey plans as imaged by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) for Landonline. Available only on Family History Computers.
eDS eResources Discovery Search
Access most of our eResource collection, articles, eBooks, journals, photographs & more, through a single access point.
Bridget Williams Books BWB Online Collections
Deep, rich and high-quality New Zealand non-fiction eBooks brought together online.
New Zealand Geographic
Writers, photographers and scientists tell the story of NZ in this online magazine archive. Includes video, podcast, and photography.
ICS Cadastral Index
Survey plans as imaged by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) for Landonline. Available only on Family History Computers.
eDS eResources Discovery Search
Access most of our eResource collection, articles, eBooks, journals, photographs & more, through a single access point.
Historic events
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.
Wars and conflicts
Explore information on wars and conflicts New Zealand has been involved in.
New Zealand Disasters
Information on notable New Zealand disasters including natural disasters, transport disasters, mining disasters and epidemics.
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.
Wars and conflicts
Explore information on wars and conflicts New Zealand has been involved in.
New Zealand Disasters
Information on notable New Zealand disasters including natural disasters, transport disasters, mining disasters and epidemics.
Featured
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.
Heritage Highlights - Treasured around the world
Feb 24th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Julia Bradshaw, Senior Curator of Human History at Canterbury Museum, talks about the travels of pounamu. Free, bookings required.
Rangahau-ā-Iwi: Te Rarawa
Mar 3rd | 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Interested in Iwi history and research? Come along to our Iwi Research event where the focus this month will be Te Rarawa.
Speak up - Kōrerotia podcast: Legacies of the Dawn Raids
Episode of human rights radio show with recommended reading on the topic of the Dawn Raids and the Polynesian Panthers.
Local and family history
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.