Celebrating 60 years of the Library and 60 years to come of Archives Library New Zealand

The National Library Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa is turning 60 and you are all invited! The Library was formed in 1965 when the General Assembly Library, the Alexander Turnbull Library and the National Library Service (comprising the Country Library Service and the School Library Service) were brought together by the National Library Act 1965. Now the Library is joining with Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o Te Kāwanatanga under joint leadership for closer ways of working. By doing this, we can bring together resources and expertise from across the Library and Archives to make the most of future opportunities and our work will increasingly support both institutions together.

With the support of Te Puna Foundation, we’re hosting a series of inspiring events to celebrate from now until the end of the year.

Kicking off the celebrations, we’re holding an ‘Open Home’ at the Library in Wellington on Saturday 18 October from 1pm to 5pm and you’re all invited. For those who can be there on the day there will be behind-the-scenes collection tours, He Tohu tours, collection viewings, kids and whānau activities, waka-building sessions with Whakaura, birthday cake and much more! HOME café and Te Āmiki will be open. Do drop in and celebrate with us anytime that suits – at 2pm we’ll be celebrating with cake and speeches.=

Check out the rest of the 60th birthday celebration programmes – featuring the likes of Don McGlashan, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Karen O’Leary, Una Cruickshanks, Chris Tse, Selina Tusitala-March and many more. More details will follow soon.