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Are you looking for information about a historic event? Here are some sources to help you out.
Researching historic events
Search the library catalogue
If you are researching a historic event, there is likely to be a variety of resources available in the library catalogue.
Auckland Libraries also provides access to a range of online databases. You can search for resources in these databases using our article search.
- When using article search, you may see a ‘Research Starter’ for some historic events. This provides a short overview of the event and other resources to look up.
Browse online resources
When researching an event, try these online databases:
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Academic content on the treaty including previously out-of-print works from wider New Zealand publishing.
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Local history, art, theatre, film and music references from Auckland newspapers and journals. These can now be viewed in Kura Heritage Collections Online.
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Cards, posters, tickets, programmes brochures and flyers from all over Auckland from the 1840s to present.
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Browse map collections, portraits, historical images and diverse photographs of everyday life in Auckland and New Zealand.
To access digital archives, go to Family and local history online resources. Under 'All resources', select 'Newspapers'.
While some newspapers and magazines are digitised and can be found on Papers Past , those that aren't digitised can be viewed on microfilm at our research centres.
These include copies of the New Zealand Herald, Auckland Star, New Zealand Truth, Auckland Weekly News, and New Zealand Women's Weekly. Ask your local research librarian for assistance if you're unfamiliar with using microfilm.
Ask an expert
As your research progresses, you may need to:
- contact a research librarian to ask a question
- come and see one of our specialist research librarians at Research Central, Research South or Heritage Collections Reading Room. Go to our list of locations.
Each research centre has a unique collection and areas of speciality. They hold historical NZ Government publications, manuscripts, maps, ephemera and oral history resources.
Find out more about our research services.