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Research library 

The Te Aka Matua Research Library is Te Papa’s research and reference resource, with particular strengths in New Zealand, Māori and Pacific history, natural history, art, photography and museum studies.    The library also holds a large collection of artists’ files (see below for more details and an index.)

The Te Aka Matua Reading Room


The Te Aka Matua Reading Room is being re-located on the Level 4 mezzanine of Te Papa and will offer a welcoming and comfortable area for researchers to work in.  It will contain our non-science rare book collections, museology books and art and exhibition files.  It will be open to researchers by appointment Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm, depending on library staff availability. Photocopying facilities, power sources for lap-tops and Wi-Fi will be available in the Reading Room.  We are scheduled to be open again, late June 2013.

The rest of the Te Aka Matua collection is housed in departmental libraries throughout the museum, close to the staff that use them.  When you make an appointment our library staff will source the material you require and bring it for you to use in the Reading Room.

Access the library’s catalogue

Access Collections Online
Access Tai Awatea | Knowledge Net

Make an appointment or an enquiry online. 

The Hector Room

The Hector Room is located in our Tory Street building, and is named after the first director of the ColonialMuseum and New Zealand Institute, Sir James Hector.  It contains some of the science journal collection and includes the natural-environment rare book collection.
The Hector Room is open to researchers by appointment only, between 10am–5pm, Monday to Thursdays, depending on library staff availability

Make an appointment or an enquiry online.

Artists’ files 

Te Aka Matua holds over 5,000 individual files on New Zealand and international artists, Te Papa’s exhibitions, and other related subjects. New material is added daily. Each file includes articles, small exhibition catalogues, invitations, and other ephemera. 

Index

Click on the links below to browse the list:

A-D | E-H | I - L | M-P | Q-T | U-W | X-Z

To view artists' files, make an appointment to visit Te Aka Matua Research Library.

Te Aka Matua Library

Opening hours and access

Te Aka Matua Reading (Cable St)

Monday–Friday, 10am–5pm,

by appointment only, from late June 2013.

The Hector Room (Tory St)

Mondays-Thursdays, 10am–5pm, by appointment only.

Phone enquiries and bookings

Monday–Friday, 10am–5pm

phone: +64 (0)4 381 7086

Make an appointment or an enquiry online.

Closing days

The library is closed on New Zealand Public Holidays:

New Years Day 1 January
Day after New Years Day 2 January
Wellington Anniversary Day  Monday that falls closest to 22 of January
Waitangi  Day 6 February
Good Friday varies
Easter Monday varies
ANZAC Day 25 April
Queen's Birthday 1st Monday in June
Labour Day 4th Monday in October
Christmas Day 25 December
Boxing Day 26 December



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