Themed around ‘Indigenising our learning journey’, Wā-sifika Fest has been specifically created as a space for tauira Māori and Pacific to explore Indigenous teaching and learning methods within Te Tumu Herenga.Read more…
Workshops: searching in Medical and Health Sciences databases
Pursuing studies or research in Medical and Health Sciences? Join us for a series of workshops designed to develop your medical database searching skills. Read more…
Matariki, more than a star: Remember, reflect, and reset
Matariki, Māori New Year, signals a time to reflect on what we have learned, contributed, and are grateful for.Read more…
We’ve upgraded the Library website!
The Library website has had a much-needed upgrade! Over the last few months, we’ve reviewed and restructured our web content to ensure you can easily find the information you need when you need it.Read more…
On the front line and on the home front: History postgrads curate new display with Special Collections
History postgraduate students Tanlin Liu and Catriona McCallum are guest curators for the latest Special Collections display.Read more…
Academic records before the digital age
To mark International Archives Week, there will be a display of academic records outside Special Collections from 1-7 June 2024. Discover the history of the University of Auckland’s academic record-keeping practices. Read more…
Celebrating Pacific culture for 50 years
The Festival of Pacific Arts (FestPAC) will see thousands of people from across the region gather in Hawai’i to showcase their traditional arts, crafts, music, dance, and oral traditions.Read more…
Broken links in your reading list?
The Library works hard to keep all the links in your Course Reading List working for you, but links are often updated, altered, or publicly removed without us knowing! This can affect all types of online resources in your reading list. If you find a broken link in your reading list, there are some things you can try that may fix the problem. Read more…
ResBaz Aotearoa is coming soon! 8-12 July 2024
Calling researchers of all levels! Develop fundamental digital literacy and online research skills at ResBaz Aotearoa 2024, a week-long online event.Read more…
Rotuman Language Week 2024
Rotuman (Fäeag Rotųam) Language Week 2024 takes place from Sunday 12 May to Saturday 18 May. The theme for Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta – Rotuman Language Week 2024 is Vetḁkia ‘os Fäega ma Ag fak hanua – Sustaining our Language and Culture.Read more…
Welcome to the Junior Collection
We’re excited to announce that the Junior Collections are now in their final homes on Levels 1 and M. This material has a curriculum focus to support junior and young adult classroom teaching practice. Read more…
Putting te reo artificial intelligence to the test
The Archive of Māori and Pacific Sound is collaborating with Te Hiku Media to explore opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI) transcription of te reo Māori. Read more…
In memory of Fa’anānā Efeso Collins
Last week New Zealanders were shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Green Party MP Faʻanānā Efeso Collins. Efeso devoted his life to serving his community, firstly as President of the Auckland University Students’ Association (AUSA) and subsequently as a youth worker, broadcaster and head of the University of Auckland’s Pacific student outreach programme.Read more…
Develop your academic skills in the time it takes to get a coffee
Our Academic Skills Video series is a growing collection of bite-sized videos, to help you learn in a fun and interactive way. Produced by Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services, and guided by our Library Learning Advisers, theRead more…
Levels 1 and M are open!
We’re excited to announce that Te Herenga Mātauranga Whānui | General Library Levels 1 and M are open! With plenty of group and casual seating, group study spaces, multipurpose teaching space and a brand-new Accessible Lounge, the refurbished spaces provide great new Library study options.Read more…
Searching databases for Medical and Health Sciences information
Are you undertaking studies or more advanced research in the field of Medical and Health Sciences? Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services is pleased to present two workshop sessions to help you build effective database searching skills. FromRead more…
It’s Black History Month
Every February the United States observes Black History Month, and while this is less formally recognised in New Zealand, we’re all for gaining a better understanding of the perspectives and histories of our diverse University community. Why not take an hour (or several) to grow your knowledge of Black history?Read more…
Books for every season
At this time of year, many people are scouring bookshops for the perfect present for family and friends. In Special Collections, we scoured the shelves to see what books had been given for Christmases and New Years’ past. Here’s a selection.Read more…
Preserving recorded heritage
Care for items in an archive is more than just ensuring there is a secure room and a shelf to sit on. The environmental conditions must be appropriate; handling should be done with care, and material needs to be findable—all elements to ensure those archives will be safe and assessable into the future. Read more…
Good things come in threes
Special Collections is thrilled to have Colin McCahon’s 1959 painting Landscape through a Victorian window on display in the Reading Room.Read more…
Our subject guides have changed!
We have updated our subject guides to better help you find the information you need.Read more…
There’s a world of resources waiting for you
The Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services interloan system, Rapido, aims to provide seamless, simplified access to available collections and resources from other libraries and institutions around the world. How do I search for items? Simply search theRead more…
Farewell Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library at Epsom
The Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library, at Epsom, is closing its doors for the last time on Monday 13 November 2023. Services and collections are transferring to the General Library at the City Campus.Read more…
University of Auckland 140 years: Shelf life
This imagined day in the life of the library, written for the University’s 140th anniversary this year, is based on sources mainly in Special Collections.Read more…
Remember and reflect: The Declaration of Independence and the National Day of Commemoration for the New Zealand Wars
28 October 2022 marks the anniversary of the signing of He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tirene: the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand in 1835. Te Pūtake o te Riri, He Rā Maumahara, or the National Day of Commemoration for the New Zealand Wars, is commemorated on the same date. Read more…
The Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library at Epsom is closed
As part of the wider closure of the Epsom Campus, the Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library at Epsom is closed from Tuesday 14 November 2023. Get key information about how this will affect your Library and Student Hubs services.Read more…
Drawing lessons from Rewi Thompson
The work of Rewi Thompson (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa) and his legacy as a teacher and indigenous architect of international renown is explored in the new book ‘Rewi: Āta haere, kia tere’. Read more…
Finding a world of Māori and Pacific sound
The Archive of Māori and Pacific Sound (AMPS) has been around for a long time, gathering and caring for recordings from all around Aotearoa and throughout the span of the Pacific, and providing access to those recordings to communities and researchers. Read more…
Track the impact of your research with metrics
Research metrics tools help you as a researcher to quantify and assess the quality of your research impact, publications and other research outputs. You can then use this data to promote your work, highlight the significance of your contributions to your field, maximise your research visibility, track your impact and monitor your citations.Read more…
Improve your Discovery Profile in five easy steps
Your Discovery Profile is an external profile created by the University of Auckland for its academic staff and doctoral candidates. It increases the visibility of your research and expertise and can improve your reputation as a researcher. Keeping your Discovery Profile public, complete and up to date will help you gain higher citation rates, as well as more funding and collaboration opportunities.Read more…
Collection connections: In the Lee of a Looted Island
The University of Auckland art collection is a significant part of Cultural Collections, and we are extremely excited to have a painting from the collection recently installed in the Special Collections Reading Room, Ground Floor, General Library.
The painting, ‘In the Lee of a Looted Island’ (1966), is by Don Binney and has recently been returned from having some routine conservation. Read more…
University of Auckland 140 years: In the classroom
To mark the 140th anniversary of the opening of Auckland University College (AUC), Special Collections goes back into the classroom to look at university teaching before PowerPoint, Zoom and Canvas.Read more…
International Archives Week: Archives United
This week is International Archives Week, marking the foundation of the International Council of Archives (ICA), under the auspices of UNESC0, on 9 June 1948. This year the event also celebrates 75 years of the ICA’s work to promote the importance of records and archives and the work of those who care for them.Read more…
Succeed this semester with support from the library!
There’s a lot more to the library, Te Tumu Herenga, than our books. Let us support you to succeed at University this semester. Read more…
Postgrad workshop: Abstract writing
Get some practical ideas on writing abstracts for conference and paper submissions.Read more…
University of Auckland 140 years: First four professors
To mark the 140th anniversary of the opening of Auckland University College (AUC), Special Collections has taken a closer look at the appointment and careers of the first four professors.Read more…
Library goes fines-free
Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services has stopped charging fines for overdue library items. Old fines on your account have all been cleared.Read more…
Exam preparation
Get some tips for exam preparation from Learning Essentials or book in an exam prep workshop.Read more…
Altmetrics: Who is reading your research?
In the era of social media and open access, the way we find, read, share and publish academic work is evolving. Altmetric Explorer shows how your audience is connecting with your research.Read more…
Kate Edger Information Commons 20th anniversary
The Kate Edger Information Commons opened for business twenty years ago on Monday 28 April 2003.Read more…
Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library at Epsom changes
Starting in May 2023, low-use items in the Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library collection will be transferred to the On-Demand Collection, and the Library Catalogue will show this new location.Read more…
Acknowledging sources in your academic work
Acknowledging your sources is an essential part of academic work. Book a workshop and explore the online resources from the Library to help you with paraphrasing, summarising, quoting and referencing.Read more…
Open Access publishing: Who pays the fees?
The University of Auckland has several Open Access Publishing Agreements with major publishing companies allowing open access publishing with the publication fee paid by the University.Read more…
Alice Minchin: Leading the way for women in libraries
Alice Minchin was the first professionally qualified woman librarian in New Zealand becoming the Librarian at Auckland University College from 1918 to 1945.Read more…
Searching databases for Medical and Health Sciences information
Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services is pleased to present two new workshops to help you build effective database searching skills in the field of Medical and Health SciencesRead more…
University of Auckland 140th Anniversary: Orientation
To coincide with Orientation Week, Special Collections has put together a display celebrating this important and fun part of the university year.Read more…
Canvas resources and workshops for postgraduate students
Te Tumu Herenga’s Research Advisers are here to help you succeed on your postgraduate research journey. Learn about our postgraduate workshops and Canvas resources.Read more…
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the agreement between the Crown and Māori that was signed on 6 February 1840 by 40 rangatira and Captain Hobson at Waitangi.Read more…
Succeed this semester with support from the library!
There’s a lot more to the library, Te Tumu Herenga, than our books. Let us support you to succeed at University this semester. Read more…
Start with the library to make your summer studies a success
There’s a lot more to the library, Te Tumu Herenga, than our books. This Summer School, let us support you to succeed at University. Read more…
Not-so-festive festive films
Not feeling so festive during this festive time of year? Read on for some alternative festive films to watch for free this holiday season.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Titirangi summer cottage
Sleeping porches were a fashionable feature of homes designed at the turn of the 20th century. See an example in a Titirangi ‘summer cottage’ in the final Special Collections Twenty at 20 series story. Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Throughlines
Intriguing item no. 19 is a 1965 exhibition catalogue that contextualises an Auckland artist’s work, provides a snapshot of the gallery scene and wonderfully evokes the era. Read more. Read more…
Top-five festive films to watch (for free) this merry-hairy season
Bleeding hearts of the world unite! The University of Auckland’s Libraries and Learning Services has collated a free list of movies to get you into the holiday cheer (or to console you in your misery). Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Naval gazing
Paul Beadle is probably best known as an influential sculptor, artist and first Dean of the Elam School of Fine Art. What is less well known is that he served with the Royal Navy as a submariner and navy artist. Dive deeper in the latest Twenty at 20 story. Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Prescription for the future
Special Collections holds medical records requiring researchers to be patient. To learn why, read story number 17 in the Twenty at 20 series. Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: A tasty treat
This correspondence register was made in Sydney, used in Port Vila, stored in Suva and shipped around the world twice before coming to Special Collections with the Western Pacific Archives in 2002. Somewhere on its travels it was eaten by beetle larvae. Discover more about its journey in the latest Special Collections Twenty at 20 story. Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Sweeping rooflines
To mark this year’s 20th anniversary of Special Collections, the curators have selected some intriguing items for the Twenty at 20 series. No 15 examines an idyllic watercolour of a large country house at Turakina.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Unexpected photographs
A Special Collections copy of the report on the 1939 Young Māori Conference held at Auckland University College differs from the standard version. Story number 14 in the Twenty at 20 series explains why.Read more…
Bruce Biggs and the revitalisation of te reo Māori
The Māori language petition for active recognition of te reo Māori was delivered to Parliament in 1972. It had over 30,000 signatures and became the starting point for a significant revitalisation of te reo Māori.
At the time, te reo Māori revitalisation was still in its infancy at the University of Auckland, after receiving a boost during the 1950s, with Bruce Biggs — ethnographer, linguist, and champion of te reo Māori — at the helm. Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Letter from the Tongan Royal Household
To mark this year’s 20th anniversary of Special Collections, the curators have selected some intriguing items for the Twenty at 20 series. Here is number 13. Written in lea faka-Tonga This 1912 letter announcing the baptism of Princess Elisiva FusipalaRead more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Favourite ephemera
To mark this year’s 20th anniversary of Special Collections, the curators share item number twelve, our favourite piece of ephemera: a 1948 Ashes football test match souvenir programme. Read more…
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: 75th Year of Independence Day of India
August 15, 2022 will mark Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, or the 75th Year of Independence Day of India. Independence Day commemorates the end of British rule and the establishment of a free and independent Indian nation.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: ‘Little all alone’
What links kittens, Crunchies, and a Victorian portrait album? Read the latest Special Collections Twenty at 20 story to find out.Read more…
40 years of Winter Lectures
Back in the winter of 1958, historian Sir Keith Sinclair proposed the University of Auckland follow Canterbury University’s lead in establishing a special series of lunchtime lectures on topics that could be addressed by speakers from a range of departments and faculties. Make a cup of tea and begin to explore almost 40 years’ worth of free public lectures.Read more…
Calling all postgraduates: new resources on Canvas!
Libraries and Learning Services have been doing more mahi to support our postgraduate researchers. The Postgraduate Skills Canvas page has recently been expanded to include some exemplars of outstanding theses from across Waipapa Taumata Rau | the University of Auckland.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Revolving diagrams
What was this ingenious 17th century revolving book diagram used for? Read the latest Special Collections Twenty at 20 story to find out.Read more…
Commemorating Mervyn McLean (1930-2022)
Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services commemorates Mervyn McLean for the enduring legacy that he has left behind, in light of the news of his passing away 8 July 2022.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: An iconic Swanndri
To mark this year’s 20th anniversary of Special Collections, the curators share item number nine, geographer Kenneth Cumberland’s Swanndri jacket which he wore on the 1980s television series Landmarks.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Well-travelled letter book returns
Notable Auckland architect Daniel B. Patterson’s letter book provides insights into his clients, contractors and collaborators. Read more in the eighth story in the Twenty at 20 series. Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: A quirky scrapbook
Many of the archival collections in the care of Special Collections have been part of Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services for much longer than two decades. Among these is the William Steadman Aldis papers, gifted to the Library in 1940 by his youngest daughter Amy Letitia Aldis.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: The sweetest item
The sixth story in the Twenty at 20 series is an election sweetener. A Labour-red lollipop was handed out to students in the Quad in 2002 and is the only confectionary item in Special Collections. Read more…
James Joyce exhibition and talk
Special Collections has mounted an exhibition, James Joyce: in his wake, that highlights several works by the Irish modernist writer, including Ulysses, some early poetry and his final novel, Finnegans Wake. The exhibition also features writing, music, fine printing and art inspired by Joyce’s unique voice.Read more…
Dawn blessing of the new Student Hubs
At 6am on Monday, 11 April 2022, Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services staff and Student Hubs project members gathered for the blessing of the new Student Hubs spaces across five Waipapa Taumata Rau campuses.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Archive within an archive
Tapa notebook poetry project: ‘Issa gift(s) that keeps on giving’. The fifth story in the Twenty at 20 series explores spoken word poet, Zechariah Soakai’s ‘tapa notebook’. The notebook is inspired by other poets’ work held in Special Collections.Read more…
Installation and blessing of Maureen Lander’s Pou Iho
The week of 27-28 April 2022 saw the installation and blessing of Pou Iho, a new, specially commissioned collaborative artwork led by renowned Ngāpuhi (Te Hikutu) weaver-artist whaea Maureen Lander.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: McCahon’s glorious glass
Colin McCahon drawings identified in the James Hackshaw architectural papers helped to authenticate windows at a Rotorua school. Learn more in the fourth Twenty at 20 series article.Read more…
Masters Thesis update: Digital only and Open Access
The University of Auckland Masters Thesis Regulations have undergone two recent changes, relating to digital only and Open Access.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Our wordiest title page
Title pages were once very crowded with lengthy descriptive text. The third story in the Twenty at 20 series examines the book in the Special Collections stacks with the wordiest title page. Read more…
A step back in time: student life in the 1920s
Have you ever sat in a classroom in one of the University’s older buildings and wondered about the staff and students who came before you? We take a step back in time to reflect on student life in the 1920s.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Lectures 1883-style
Students managing their complicated timetables this semester will be surprised by the simplicity of the first lecture timetable after the University’s opening in May 1883, our second 20th anniversary of Special Collections Twenty at 20 item.Read more…
Special Collections Twenty at 20: Illuminated manuscript fragments
Special Collections is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with a programme of exhibitions, stories, talks and events. This collection of illuminated manuscript fragments was gifted to the University by Emeritus Professor Frank R. Horlbeck, Department of Art History, University of Wisconsin – Madison.Read more…
Inclusive Learning for neurodiverse students: New look web pages!
Inclusive Learning Advisers offer specialist support for neurodiverse students. We help students with specific learning disabilities apply for special assessment conditions and offer screening and needs-based learning assessments.Read more…
New Study and Research Skills Hubs for your faculty
Te Tumu Herenga are excited to launch the new faculty-based Study and Research Skills Hubs: a set of online study tools designed to help you develop the academic skills needed to succeed in your studies.Read more…
The Point of (No) Return: marking 45 years since the occupation of Bastion Point
45 years ago, the Ōrākei Māori Action Committee, led by Joe Hawke, began the occupation of Takaparawhā | Bastion Point reserve to protest the Government’s plan to subdivide the land for private housing developmentRead more…
Special Collections: 2021 Christmas hamper
You can borrow 100 books!
We’ve made some changes to our lending policies – all students, staff and Associate Members with borrowing privileges now have the same loan limits.Read more…
Handle the jandal! New postgraduate research resources
We’ve got two new resources to help you within Postgraduate Research Skills @ Te Tumu Herenga, as you get underway with your research this summer.Read more…
Collection changes including the new Pacific Collection
The next time you visit the General Library, you may notice a few changes to the collections. We are in the process of establishing a stand-alone Pacific Collection and integrating New Zealand material into the Main Collection.Read more…
100 years of New Zealand radio
Wednesday 17 November 2021 marks 100 years since Robert Jack made New Zealand’s first radio broadcast featuring speech and music. Listen to the first broadcast and hear about these early days of radio.Read more…
Electoral remix: adoption of MMP in New Zealand
Tuesday 12 October 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of New Zealand’s first Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) general election.Read more…
ClockTower design: celebrating 100 years
2021 marks 100 years since Roy Lippincott and Edward Billson won the competition to design the University’s first significant purpose-built building, now known as the ClockTower.Read more…
BSANZ 2021 Conference: Communities, books and the power of words
Interested in studies about books, authors, publishing, readers and related topics? Registrations are open for the Bibliographical Society of Australia and New Zealand 2021 virtual conference, 22-23 November. Read more…
Creative Commons help you share and reuse works
Creative Commons is an Open Content licensing model that allows the distribution and reuse of works, as dictated by terms of a license. One condition of all CC licenses is attribution, so the original creator is acknowledged.Read more…
Winter of discontent: 1981 Springbok tour
The Library is marking the 40th anniversary of the controversial 1981 Springbok tour with a display that captures the passions the tour provoked.Read more…
New Zealand Electronic Poetry Centre: 20 years online
The New Zealand Electronic Poetry Centre went live 20 years ago on 20 July 2001, making it one of the country’s longest-running poetry hubs.Read more…
‘Twins’ successfully installed in new sculpture court
Chiara Corbelletto’s ‘Twins’ (2003) have now found a new home at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FMHS), making way for the new Recreation Centre on the City Campus.Read more…
Publishing 101 workshop for early career researchers
A mystery building, a pirate ship and other architectural treasures
A pirate ship cabaret and tearooms is one of the treasures housed in a collection of architectural drawings by architect S S Alleman (1901-1978).Read more…