The Photographic Archive forms part of the Alexander Turnbull Library collections. It was started in the late 1930s and continues to grow as a visual record of New Zealand and its people.
The Archive holds photographs taken by professional photographers as well as the work of ordinary New Zealanders who have documented their lives, families and communities.
The collection is strong in the following areas:
- Māori life, people and activities
- cities and towns of New Zealand
- the New Zealand Wars
- New Zealanders in the two World Wars and other international conflicts
- Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands and other parts of the Pacific
- Antarctica and the Sub-Antarctic Islands, including the expeditions of Scott, Shackleton and the Ross Sea Committee
- photographs from the Evening Post, Dominion, The Press, and other newspapers
- prominent New Zealand photographers of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Daniel Beere, Tyree Studio, Leslie Adkin, John Pascoe, Ans Westra, Samuel Carnell, Irene Koppel and William James Harding
- portraits of New Zealanders from all walks of life, representing many ethnic and social groups.
The Library’s building redevelopment
The Library building in Wellington is closed for redevelopment, and due to reopen in August 2012. During the relocation period, some collections are available in two temporary locations: Archives New Zealand and a reading room at 77 Thorndon Quay, Wellington.
More about collection access through the Wellington building redevelopment period
Access to the Photographic Archive during the building redevelopment
- Most of this collection (prints, albums, negatives and transparencies) is now unavailable until August 2012.
- The White's Aviation, Evening Post, Ans Westra, War History and War Effort print files are available at Archives New Zealand. Copies from the prints in this collection are available at Archives New Zealand.
- Digitised images will continue to be available, and can be ordered.
Search for descriptions of items in the Photographic Archive using TAPUHI. Not all items are described online. If you can’t find what you’re looking for ask a librarian.
Note that most original items, even if they are on TAPUHI, will be unavailable for access until August 2012, apart from those available through Archives New Zealand (the White's Aviation, Evening Post, Ans Westra, War History and War Effort print files).
Digital copies of selected items are on Timeframes, our online database of heritage images.
More about Turnbull Library Pictures
Get copies from items in this collection
You can order copies of most available photographs in the Archive if copying doesn’t harm the original or breach copyright. Formats available include digital copies on CD-ROM, inkjet prints, and photocopies.
Find price lists and order items on Timeframes, or contact us and we’ll send you an order form.
Get help
We can answer your enquiries in person, by letter, phone or email. We can provide further information about photographs in the collection, and New Zealand photographers. An appointment is necessary.
We can also visit groups to talk about the care and organisation of their photographs. The National Preservation Office will offer advice in this area as well.
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Alexander Turnbull Library collections National Preservation Office |
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