The National Library of New Zealand Act 2003 replaced the National Library Act 1965.
The 2003 Act:
- strengthened and clarified the relationship between the National Library and the Alexander Turnbull Library
- established two new advisory bodies, the Library and Information Advisory Commission Ngā Kaiwhakamārama i ngā Kohikohinga Kōrero, and the Guardians Kaitiaki of the Alexander Turnbull Library
- included references to mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge)
- affirmed the collections held by the National Library as documentary heritage and taonga for the people of New Zealand
- affirmed that the collections of the Alexander Turnbull Library are held in perpetuity
- extended legal deposit to include electronic publishing.
The Act can be downloaded from this website, or viewed on New Zealand Legislation website.
