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 - July 2025
New additions to the library collection that explore history and global issues including politics, media, climate change, racism and more.
New For You - Aotearoa New Zealand - July 2025
Have a taste of home-grown books! Here are some of our best New Zealand new arrivals for this month. Fiction, Biography, History, and more.
New For You - History & Current Events - June 2025
Newest additions to the collection that explore history and global issues including politics, media, climate change, racism and more.
New For You - History & Current Events - July 2025
New additions to the library collection that explore history and global issues including politics, media, climate change, racism and more.
New For You - Aotearoa New Zealand - July 2025
Have a taste of home-grown books! Here are some of our best New Zealand new arrivals for this month. Fiction, Biography, History, and more.
New For You - History & Current Events - June 2025
Newest additions to the collection that explore history and global issues including politics, media, climate change, racism and more.
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 Gazette Archive
Access issues of the New Zealand Gazette and related publications from 1841 to 2011.
History Reference Source
World history for researchers, featuring historical reference books, magazines, journals and thousands of primary source documents.
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 Gazette Archive
Access issues of the New Zealand Gazette and related publications from 1841 to 2011.
History Reference Source
World history for researchers, featuring historical reference books, magazines, journals and thousands of primary source documents.
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
Stories From The Manapōuri Hydro Project: WORD Chch 2025
Aug 29th | 12:30pm - 1:30pm
The Middle of Nowhere: Stories from the Mānapouri Hydro Project uncovers the powerful history of those who helped build it.
Michael Belgrave – Becoming Aotearoa: WORD Chch 2025
Aug 29th | 10:30am - 11:30am
Professor Michael Belgrave invites us to take a deeper, thoughtful look at our shared history.
New For You - History & Current Events - July 2025
New additions to the library collection that explore history and global issues including politics, media, climate change, racism and more.
New For You - Aotearoa New Zealand - July 2025
Have a taste of home-grown books! Here are some of our best New Zealand new arrivals for this month. Fiction, Biography, History, and more.
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.