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About the Library

The National Library of New Zealand is here to help you access and use the collective knowledge of the nation.

On this page

Collect, connect and co-create

It's our job to collect, connect, and co-create knowledge to power New Zealand.

  • Collect : New Zealand's documentary taonga in words, sounds and pictures are collected, protected and accessible

  • Connect : New Zealanders can easily access national and international resources through knowledge networks

  • Co-create : New Zealanders working together to turn knowledge into value

As a library and as a national institution we are open to one and all, and you can find out more about the role of the Library as defined in the National Library of New Zealand (Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa) Act (2003).

Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynbE_v3q9Xc

Kōkiri, Kōkiri, Kōkiri!

Kōkiri, Kōkiri, Kōkiri is the National Library waiata composed by Bella Tarawhiti.

Kōkiri, kōkiri, kōkiri
Whakarongo ake au
Ki ngā reo o te motu
E karanga mai ana
Huakina Huakina te whare e
Ka oti ka oti ngā mahi e

Haere mai e te iwi (tēnā e te iwi)
Kia piri tāua
Kia kite atu ai
Ngā kupu whakairi e

Ēnei ngā wāriu
O ngā mahi tuhinga
Hei mahi ketuketu
Ngā whakaaro rerekē
Ko hanga whakatū
Ngā ariā ki te iwi
E kore e mimiti
He puna wairua e
He puna wai-rua e

Hi

— Nā Bella Tarawhiti

Be alert! Advance
Uplift and listen
To the many voices of the land
Clearly asking us
To open
Open the doors of the Library
So that we may work together

Welcome oh people
Let us work together
To search the collections
They are a wealth of knowledge

It is valuable information
The written books and manuscripts
To be searched and discussed
And to exchange ideas
To uphold and maintain
Communication with the people

They will always retain their glory and status
A wealth of resources
It is a spring of wealth and knowledge

Watch Bella talk about creating the waiata. (YouTube, 3 mins)

Related content

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Structure of the Library

The purpose of the National Library is to enrich the cultural and economic life of New Zealand. We collect, preserve and protect the documentary heritage of New Zealand, support other libraries, and collaborate with the international library community.
Strategic directions to 2030

Strategic directions to 2030

Our strategic directions to 2030 focus on achieving greater impact through collaboration. Our areas of focus are — taonga , knowledge , and reading.
Green leaf like pattern.

Collaborative projects

Find out about some of the collaborations we are involved in to help us achieve the outcomes we have outlined in our strategic directions to 2030. The themes of our strategic directions are taonga, knowledge, and reading.

Contact us

Contact information for our Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch locations and the Alexander Turnbull Library. We look forward to hearing from you.

Feature image at top of page: Detail of National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa.