World Languages
Some libraries have books and magazines in different languages. We also have books in different languages for children. These are found in the Children’s area of the library.
Chinese
We have titles available in the following languages:
- Afrikaans, Afrikaans (children's titles)
- Bengali (children's titles)
- Arabic, Arabic (children's titles)
- Chinese, Chinese (children's titles)
- Dutch, Dutch (children's titles)
- Finnish (children's titles)
- French, French (children's titles)
- German, German (children's titles)
- Greek (children's titles)
- Hindi, Hindi (children's titles)
- Japanese, Japanese (children's titles)
- Korean, Korean (children's titles)
- Latin (children's titles)
- Persian, Persian (children's titles)
- Polish, Polish (children's titles)
- Russian, Russian (children's titles)
- Slovenian (children's titles)
- Somali (children's titles)
- Spanish, Spanish (children's titles)
- Tagalog, Tagalog (children's titles)
- Thai, Thai (children's titles)
Bilingual dictionaries
- Afrikaans
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Cook Island Māori (Rarotongan)
- Fijian
- French
- German
- Hindi
- Japanese
- Korean
- Niuean
- Persian
- Russian
- Samoan
- Somali
- Spanish
- Tagalog
- Thai
- Tokelauan
- Tongan
- Vietnamese
Te reo Māori and Pasifika languages
All our libraries have titles in te reo Māori in their Ngā Pounamu Māori collections.
Some libraries have Pasifika collections. Most of these books are for children. These include books in:
- Niuean, Niuean (children's titles)
- Rarotongan, Rarotongan (children's titles)
- Samoan, Samoan (children's titles)
- Tokelauan, Tokelauan (children's titles)
- Tongan, Tongan (children's titles)
Collection policy
We do not actively collect books in every language. For more information please see our World Languages Collection Policy.
World languages collections by library
World languages collections include adult fiction and non-fiction. Some children’s material is also available in these languages at each of these libraries. Please note that the children’s resources in world languages are usually shelved in the children’s areas.
- Aranui Library
- Niuean, Rarotongan, Samoan, Tokelauan and Tongan. A large proportion of this material is for children.
- Fendalton Library
- Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
- Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre
- Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, and Russian.
- Hornby Library
- Chinese
- Linwood Library
- Chinese, Hindi, Korean, and Russian. Some of this material is for children.
- Papanui Library
- Papanui is closed for refurbishment until 31 October 2022
- Chinese, Japanese and Korean plus children's books in Chinese.
- South Library
- Chinese, Dutch, German, Japanese, and Korean
- Shirley Library
- Chinese, and Japanese
- Tūranga
- Afrikaans, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Polish, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, and Thai are found in the world languages collection on Auahatanga | Creativity, Level 4. There is also a small selection of magazines in the following languages - Afrikaans, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese and Russian. Children’s books are found on Hapori | Community, Level 1.
Books in Niuean, Samoan, Tokelauan and Tongan languages are found in the Pasifika collection on Tuakiri | Identity, Level 2 . Most of these books are for children.
eResources
OverDrive World Languages
Chinese eBooks and eMagazines on OverDrive and the Libby app.
LOTE Online for Kids
Storytime in your language! Kids can enjoy a digital collection of children's books in Languages Other Than English.
Mango Languages
Mango is an online language learning system that can help you learn the most popular languages in the world.
Enjoy world cinema with Kanopy
Watch films in 40 languages, including Spanish, German, French, Russian, Arabic and Japanese online with Kanopy.
PressReader: Newspapers from around the world
Use your library to access online newspapers and magazines in 60 different languages including Chinese, French, German, Arabic and more.
Read in your language with OverDrive
OverDrive has eBooks in a range of languages including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog and Italian.
Pasifika
Resources focusing on Pacific knowledge, heritage & identity, and supporting the learning and retention of Pacific languages and culture.
Newcomers
Kia ora and welcome to Christchurch. We have a range of resources and services on offer to new residents.
Learning English
Borrow English language courses, grammar titles, or books in simple English to help you learn or access online resources focused on improving your English skills.
Learning English eResources
Tense Buster
Improve your English with Tense Buster which helps learners with 33 key grammar areas at five levels.
Practical Writing
Practical Writing is for students who need to use written English both in their studies and in their personal life.
Active Reading
Improve your reading skills, Active Reading will help those learning English to read more efficiently and more confidently.
Clear Pronunciation 2 Speech
Learn to speak English clearly, after completing Clear Pronunciation 1 Sounds learn to put the sounds of English together for natural speech
Road to IELTS: General
Self-study preparation course to help you prepare for the globally recognised IELTS exam. Tests English proficiency at a general level.
Clear Pronunciation Sounds
Learn to speak English clearly, recognise and pronounce the 43 sounds of English through audio, video and interactive activities.
Mango Languages
Mango is an online language learning system that can help you learn the most popular languages in the world.
Road to IELTS: Academic
Self-study preparation course to help you prepare for the globally recognised IELTS exam. Tests English proficiency at an academic level.
