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 - April 2025
New titles that explore history and global issues including politics, media, climate change, racism and more.
New For You - History & Current Events - March 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 - March 2025
Have a taste of home-grown books! Here are some of our best New Zealand new arrivals for this month. Fiction, Biography, Poetry, and more.
New For You - History & Current Events - April 2025
New titles that explore history and global issues including politics, media, climate change, racism and more.
New For You - History & Current Events - March 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 - March 2025
Have a taste of home-grown books! Here are some of our best New Zealand new arrivals for this month. Fiction, Biography, Poetry, 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World history for researchers, featuring historical reference books, magazines, journals and thousands of primary source documents.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World history for researchers, featuring historical reference books, magazines, journals and thousands of primary source documents.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
New For You - History & Current Events - April 2025
New titles that explore history and global issues including politics, media, climate change, racism and more.
World War diaries and correspondence
Hear the real story of the war through the letters and diaries of New Zealand soldiers in the First and Second World Wars.
Ghostcat stirs up memories of places of the past
"Ghosts On Every Corner" brings iconic Christchurch places back to life with his miniature artworks. See our photos in Canterbury Stories.
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.