New Zealand's coolest historic libraries

A library book. Photo / 123rf

The Hocken library in Dunedin has long been an essential destination for New Zealand historians. We were there for the weekly behind-the-scenes public tour, assembled in the reading room where researchers study publications, maps, and archives. Mark, one of the library staff, was leading the tour and he began with a brief history of the library.

Thomas Hocken was a doctor in 19th century Dunedin who collected books, pamphlets, newspapers, maps, pictures and other items relating to New Zealand and the Pacific. He gifted his collection to the New Zealand public in 1910, leading to the establishment of the Hocken Collections, now part of the University of Otago Library.

Our next stop was the printed collection where shelves were filled with books, pamphlets, and magazines from decades past. Mark pulled a volume from the shelves and opened it up, showing how the pamphlets were bound together, protecting them from wear and tear. They were in no particular order, so the volume we looked at covered topics as diverse as volcanoes and sports.

On the end panels of the shelving, staff have posted copies of interesting items they've spotted on the job. Some are a bit odd, such as Grenade Training by Recreational Methods, while others evoke nostalgia. A young Kiri Te Kanawa gazed from the cover of a 1960s Weekly News, one of many familiar magazines on the shelves.

Building on Dr Hocken's work, the library continues to collect books, magazines and newspapers. Mark asked if anyone had the first issue of the New Zealand Woman's Weekly, a notable gap in their nearly complete set. There are also some Listener issues from the Second World War era that they don't have.

After the printed collection, we looked at some of the specialist storage for more fragile items. There's a substantial photograph collection with cold storage areas for film negatives, and maps are carefully laid flat in drawers, with copies made for research purposes. Archives and papers are stored in file boxes to protect them. Dr Hocken's enthusiastic collecting efforts included going to London to acquire missionary archives relating to New Zealand and the South Pacific. Over the years since then, donations from individuals and organisations have enriched the archives collection.

Finally, Mark led us upstairs to the art collection. Dr Hocken collected artworks that recorded how New Zealand looked, and Mark pulled one of these from the racks. It was an early painting of Dunedin and from landmarks such as Knox Church and Otago Harbour, we were able to identify streets that are still in place today. Today the collection has been extended to include art in its wider sense and there are regular exhibitions in the Hocken gallery.

In just over an hour, we saw how historic treasures are cared for, and learned about the range of material available to researchers in the Hocken Collection. Dr Hocken's gift to the public of New Zealand has created a rich resource for studying our history. otago.ac.nz/library/hocken/otago683197.html

Other historic libraries to visit around New Zealand

Libraries around New Zealand have impressive buildings or special collections of historic treasures. Here are several libraries worth visiting.

Christchurch's Turanga library. Photo / Pam Carmichael

Tūranga, Christchurch

Christchurch's modern central library in Cathedral Square has won awards for its architecture. Art has been incorporated into the design of the building, featuring on walls, stairs, and in open spaces. On the ground floor, the Discovery Wall, New Zealand's largest digital touchwall, helps you explore images, video, and writing about Christchurch's history. Upstairs on level 2, Te Pito Huarewa / Southbase Gallery has temporary exhibitions on Christchurch's identity and history. my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/turanga/

National Library of New Zealand, Wellington

Across the road from Parliament, the National Library's He Tohu exhibition displays key documents in New Zealand's history – the Treaty of Waitangi, Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand, and the Women's Suffrage petition. The library also puts on temporary exhibitions throughout the year, displaying items from its collections. The current Miharo Wonder exhibition celebrates 100 years of the Alexander Turnbull Library, while Tohe Protest looks at the 1981 Springbok tour. natlib.govt.nz

HB Williams Library, Gisborne

Gisborne's public library reflects the region's heritage. The library building is a classic example of 1960s modernist architecture, with an award-winning extension added in 2018. Sculptures of toki (adzes) line the path leading to the entrance, while inside a stained glass window tells the story of Gisborne's people from the beginning of time to the present day. gpl.govt.nz

Dunedin City Library

Various collectors have gifted their precious collections of books and manuscripts to the library over the years. Notable among these was A.H. Reed, a Dunedin publisher and prolific author who walked from North Cape to Bluff at the age of 85. His typewriter is on display in the Reed Gallery, alongside changing exhibitions from the heritage collections. reedgallery.co.nz