The Cartographic Collection forms part of the Alexander Turnbull Library collections. It holds most types of New Zealand maps and plans, including:
- electoral
- topographic (land contours, rivers, mountains and place names)
- cadastral (land ownership and boundaries)
- survey
- historical
- Māori
- scientific
- hydrographical (charts)
- bathymetric (sea depths)
- geological
- statistical (census)
- weather
- military
- forestry
- caving
- orienteering
- tourist
- town plans
- local authority
- district plans
- subdivision plans and real estate posters.
We also have maps from other countries, such as:
- 19th century Ordnance Survey maps of the United Kingdom
- topographic and historical maps of Australia
- a substantial collection of world maps from the 16th century onwards
- World War II military topographic maps of Europe and the Middle East
- World War I trench maps of France and Belgium
- Korea and Vietnam War maps.
Books, serials and CDs that cover the bibliography, history, cataloguing, collection and preservation of maps are also held.
More about the Alexander Turnbull Library collections
The Library’s building redevelopment
The Library building in Wellington is closed for redevelopment, and due to reopen in July 2012. During the relocation period, some collections are available at our reading room at 77 Thorndon Quay, Wellington.
More about collection access through the Wellington building redevelopment period
Access to the Cartographic Collection during the building redevelopment
- Most original materials in this collection are now unavailable until August 2012.
- Some aperture cards are now available at Library's reading room at 77 Thorndon Quay, Wellington.
About half the maps in the collection are described online and some can be seen online as digital images. Zoom functionality enables maps to be seen at full original size.
Search for published maps using the National Library Catalogue (to find images only type in ‘MapColl digital’ and select ‘Call number begins with’, or use the link below to bring up all the digital copies together).
See all digital copies of maps on the National Library catalogue
Unpublished maps and descriptions can be found on Timeframes and TAPUHI. Note that most original items, even if they are on TAPUHI, will be unavailable for access until August 2012.
Search the National Library Catalogue
Maps in other collections
Gazetteers, place-name indexes, aerial photographs and architectural plans are held in other sections of the Library.
You can also access copies of some historical maps held at Land Information New Zealand and Archives New Zealand in the map reading room.
Land Information New Zealand website
More about maps in the collections
History of the Cartographic Collection
Alexander Turnbull’s own collection of early maps by settlers, sailors, missionaries and government surveyors forms the basis of the collection. The first map curator was appointed in the 1960s. In 1972, when the Library gained legal deposit status, there were about 11,000 items. The collection continues to grow through purchase and donation.
More about donations and bequests
Get copies of items in this collection
You can order colour or black and white copies of most maps, if copying doesn’t harm the original or breach copyright.
We provide photocopies, (microfilm printout), low and high resolution scans (any size), laser copies (to A3 size) and inkjet prints (to A2 size).
Copying maps with a personal digital camera is also permitted in most cases.
More about copyright and usage
Get help
We can answer your enquiries in person, by letter, phone or email. We can also advise on how to find maps in other institutions.
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