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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Fijian Language Week 2022
Ni sa bula! Welcome to Fiji Language Week Macawa Ni Vosa Vakaviti which runs from 3-9 October. 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…
Vaiaso o te ‘Gana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week 2022
Discover six things about Tuvalu and explore resources, including documentaries on the impact of climate change. 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…
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…
Upcoming TV and Radio changes
Te Tumu Herenga’s TV and Radio service is undergoing a few changes as we seek to make wise use of our resources and better align our service with Waipapa Taumata Rau’s IT strategy. 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…
Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa – Samoa Language Week 2022
Tālofa! Susū mai! Afio mai! Maliu mai! Welcome to Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa – Samoan Language Week, Sunday 29 May-Saturday 4 June 2022, including Samoa’s 60th year of Independence on Wednesday 1 June 2022. 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…
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…
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…
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
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…
Tokelau Language Week 2021
Welcome to Te vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau, Tokelau Language Week 24 – 30 October 2021. This year’s theme is Tokelau! Tapui tau gagana ma tau aganuku, i te manaola ma te lautupuola which means Tokelau! Preserve your language and culture, to enhance spiritual and physical wellbeing. Read more…
Kia Tupuolaola e Moui he Tagata Niue – May the Tagata Niue thrive
To mark Niue Language week, Special Collections are pleased to provide online access to a petition sent by Patu-iki Togia-Pule-toaki to the British High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, in October 1899.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…
![Architectural drawing of Auckland University College Arts Building [University of Auckland ClockTower] (sheet 8), Lippincott Collection (LP2).](https://www.news.library.auckland.ac.nz/files/2021/09/clocktower-lippincott-wordpress-feature-image-option01.jpg)
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…
Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga – Tonga Language Week 2021
To mark Tonga Language Week 2021, the Archive of Māori and Pacific Sound presents the first two episodes of the AMPS 50th Anniversary Podcast, a series of talanoa (conversations) with five significant academics from the University of Auckland. 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…
Kiribati Language Week 2021
The 32 atolls and coral islands that form the Republic of Kiribati are most often associated with the immediate impacts of global climate change and rising sea levels. However, Kiribati also has a unique oral tradition, art and culture.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…
Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa – Sāmoan Language Week 2021
30 May to 6 June 2021 is Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa – Sāmoan Language Week. Explore all the ways in which you can celebrate Sāmoan Language Week with Te Tumu Herenga.Read more…
Commemorating ANZAC Day 2021
Watch a range of ANZAC documentaries within TV and Radio, drawn together into a playlist by Media Services. Read more…
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…
Happy 40th New Zealand Film Archive / Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision
Communist Party centenary: The Party and the hangover
James Hector: a note from the past
James Hector (1834-1907) was a leading scientist and administrator in Aotearoa. For Hector Day, Special Collections highlights a handwritten note by Hector left in a zoological journal.Read more…
Robin Hyde’s papers receive UNESCO recognition
The papers of Robin Hyde, held by Special Collections, and the Alexander Turnbull Library, have been inscribed on UNESCO’s New Zealand Memory of the World Register. Special Collections is marking this occasion with the exhibition ‘torrents of amber’.Read more…
Special Collections: 2020 Christmas hamper
The stacks in Special Collections contain countless items that deserve close inspection by researchers. Here are a few that caught the eye of Special Collections staff during 2020.Read more…
Philcox architecture archive: Builder of handsome edifices
The architectural drawings collection of W. Philcox and Sons provides a unique insight into an Auckland building firm from the turn of the 20th century. Search the new collection listing.Read more…
Books tell a prize-winning story
A personal library is more than the sum of the books a person owned. The books we keep can provide unique insights into our life story.Read more…
Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau 2020
Celebrate Tokelau Language Week. Consult the Tokelau Dictionary online and explore other Tokelau related resources held by Te Tumu Herenga.Read more…
45 years of the Waitangi Tribunal
45 years after the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal, we reflect on its position in Aotearoa New Zealand society.Read more…
Macawa Ni Vosa Vakaviti – Fijian Language Week 2020
Preserving our roots: protecting our forest taonga
Supporting the International Year of Plant Heath; discover Special Collections resources about our native trees and plants, mātauranga and forestry.Read more…
Experience the art of Tai Tonga
Rennie Atfield-Douglas chose artwork that would get people thinking to display at our new campus in South Auckland.Read more…
Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga – Tonga Language Week 2020
Learn some fun Tongan phrases and enjoy our collection highlights including artwork, music, documentaries and PhD research.Read more…
Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani Cook Islands Language Week
Welcome to Cook Islands Language Week. Celebrate Cook Island culture by exploring the maps, letters, old records and research we have curated.Read more…
Kiribati Language Week 2020
Watch the playlist and explore selected resources as you celebrate Kiribati Language Week.Read more…
Contribute to a University of Auckland Covid-19 archive
Help future researchers by contributing your pandemic experiences and activities to our Covid-19 archive.Read more…
Picturing Cultural Collections
A series of photographs are hanging in the Special Collections Reading Room in the General Library. Read their backstories and discover more about Cultural Collections.Read more…
20 years of New Zealand Music Month
To celebrate the milestone, we’ve compiled a New Zealand music playlist which has something for everyone.Read more…
Should I be wearing gloves?
Display celebrates 50 years of the Archive of Māori and Pacific Sound
View the display Celebrating 50 years of the Archive of Māori and Pacific Sound, 1970 – 2020, at Special Collections in the General Library until Friday 3 April.Read more…
Help for Creative Arts and Industries students using library resources
The Fine Arts and Architecture and Planning collections are in their new home in the Library. Visit the General Library and view the new locations.Read more…
Special Collections: delivering tailored services
Special Collections artists’ books display
View the artists’ books display at Special Collections in the General Library until Friday 6 March.Read more…
Cultural Collections: Tape slicing – the reel story
Replacing tape splices on reel-to-reel magnetic tapes is a fiddly but critical task to ensure rare recordings can be preserved and digitised.Read more…
Cultural Collections: Māori Television full back-catalogue now available
Cultural Collections: The art of cleaning
Holiday treasures unearthed
Cultural Collections: Delivering digitised archives
Critical Encounters Tuia 250
Daniel Solander-inspired exhibition and seminar
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
Colin McCahon – cornerstone of our Art Collection
Reo Māori Kūki’Āirani – Cook Islands Language Week
Customary meets contemporary in whakapapa-inspired artwork
Frances Hodgkins works on show
Capturing New Zealand’s transmissions
Play it loud
General Library turns 50
Artwork: A powerful presence
Opening the Archives
On your bike: ‘Biketivism’ on campus
Summer road trip
End of First World War centenary project
First World War armistice: Clear the line
International award nomination for University Art Collection
Women’s suffrage: Enrolling the new electors
Māori Land Court Minute Books Index now open access
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori with TV and Radio
Furniture by New Zealand architects
We, the undersigned
University of Auckland Art Collection
Paid for in blood: Medical rare books display
