The Library’s collections are stored in many parts of the National Library building in Wellington, and in several other locations throughout New Zealand.
We think and talk about the collections as three main groups: the National Library General Collections, the National Library Schools Collection, and the collections of the Alexander Turnbull Library.
National Library General Collections
The National Library General Collections cover all subjects to meet the current information needs of New Zealanders. These collections support the reference services we provide to individuals, libraries and schools.
New Zealand and Pacific Collection
Print Disabilities Collection (Talking books)
National Children's Collection
National Library Schools Collection
The Schools Collection contains fiction and non-fiction books, videos and DVDs. The collection provides resources to support teaching and learning in New Zealand schools.
National Library Schools Collection
Alexander Turnbull Library collections
The Alexander Turnbull Library collections contain New Zealand’s national documentary heritage collections, including both published and unpublished material.
The Turnbull Library is a 'library within a library'. Established in 1920 after Alexander Horsburgh Turnbull gifted his collection to the nation in 1918, its collections and services are now housed within the National Library building.
Published research collections
Published collections of the Turnbull Library contain books, magazines and journals, pamphlets, newspapers, maps, music, and other printed items that are published.
Cartographic Collection (published maps)
New Zealand and Pacific Book Collection
New Zealand Serials Collection
New Zealand Music, Sound, Audio-visual
Printed Ephemera Collection (posters, advertisements, programmes etc)
Special Printed Collections (rare books and fine printed items)
Unpublished research collections
Collections of unpublished items, including original manuscripts, oral histories, photographs, paintings, drawings, prints, and cartoons, are organised by format.
- Archive of New Zealand Music
