About the Research Library

Te Aka Matua Research Library is Te Papa’s research and reference resource. The Library opened in 1867. It holds over 50,000 titles. Around 2200 of these resources are designated as Rare books. The Library also holds extensive files on Te Papa’s exhibitions and artists in the Te Papa collection. The focus of the Library is on New Zealand, Māori, and Pacific history, the natural environment, art, photography, and museum studies.

The Library’s purpose is to provide research support to assist with Te Papa’s scholarship, programmes and projects. The Librarians are available to help with all your research needs - give them a subject and/or a broad idea of what you are working on and they will get back to you with information from the collection and further afield. 

Our online resources are available anywhere, anytime – all you need is a device and a web connection.

The library is part of the Knowledge and Information team within Collection Access, Collections and Research Directorate.

Quick links

• Meaning of our name, 'Te Aka Matua'
• Te Aka Matua's Collection development policy
• Search the library catalogue and/or our full-text resources on Tomokanga | Gateway

Borrowing resources

Staff type	Access abilities
Te Papa staff, including those on fixed term employment, and research associates	Able to borrow resources. If you take resources from a library space, please email library@tepapa.govt.nz with the title and barcode so the item can be issued to you.
Casual staff, volunteers and interns	May consult the holdings, however do not have borrowing rights. If you do need to borrow material, ask your manager to contact Joanna Adkins to discuss your requirements.

Contact us

Whakapā mai