Research library and reading rooms
Discover our extensive library collection, available to view by appointment at our reading rooms.
Te Aka Matua Research Library is Te Papa’s research and reference resource, available to view by appointment.
Our extensive collection has a special focus on history (New Zealand, Māori, and Pacific), the natural environment, art, photography, and museum studies.
Browse our library catalogue before requesting a visit.
On this page:
Te Aka Matua Reading Room
The Hector Room, Tory Street
Artist files
Te Aka Matua Reading Room
By appointment only: Monday–Friday, 10am–5pm (closed public holidays)
Location: Te Papa, Level 4 mezzanine above Treaty of Waitangi: Signs of a nation
Facilities: Photocopier, free Wi-Fi, and power sources for laptops
Te Aka Matua Reading Room contains:
- non-science rare book collections
- museology books
- art and exhibition files.
Other material
Te Papa’s library collections are held in various locations. After you make an appointment, our library staff will source your desired material so you can view it in the reading room.
Caption
Te Aka Matua reading room. Photograph by Kate Whitley. Te Papa
The Hector Room, Tory Street
By appointment only: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am–12 noon (closed public holidays)
Location: 169 Tory Street, less than 10 minutes’ walk from Te Papa
The Hector Room contains:
- some of our science journal collection
- our natural environment rare book collection.
Other material
Te Papa’s library collections are held in various locations. When you make an appointment, our library staff will source your desired material so you can view it in the reading room.
Read about Sir James Hector on Collections Online
Artist files
Find articles, small exhibition catalogues, invitations, and other ephemera about the artist of your interest. Te Aka Matua Research Library holds over 5,000 individual files on New Zealand and international artists. New material is added daily.
Browse our list of available artist files
Artist files are available for reference use only. To view the files, make an appointment to visit.
Index by surname:
A-D | E-H | I-L | M-P | Q-T | U-W | X-Z
Please note that not all entries denote a file. Some may contain only a biographical entry.