Our reading rooms are open at the Orange alert level. Use this form to order records to view when you visit.
Over six decades in the mid-twentieth century, the National Film Unit (NFU) made thousands of films about life in Aotearoa New Zealand. Discover the NFU’s work and history in our online exhibition.
Learn why we're digitising the biggest items in our holdings – and watch our video to discover how we do it.
The Treaty of Waitangi is not a single large sheet of paper but a group of nine documents. Together they represent an agreement drawn up between representatives of the British Crown and representatives of Māori iwi and hapū.
In 1893 Aotearoa New Zealand became the first country in the world in which all women gained the right to vote in general elections — thanks to the women who created, organised and signed the Women’s Suffrage Petition.
Discover the National Collection of War Art
He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni – known in English as the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand – is a constitutional document of historical and cultural significance
A look at some of the unique material contained in Copyright Applications between 1886-1963
A collection of stories in the archives that touch on lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities in the history of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Accessing important archives about the historic ownership of land in Sāmoa has never been easier, thanks to the work undertaken by our digitisation team
Explore the passing of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill 35 years on through the archives
Christchurch Regional Archivist Joanna Condon looks at how archives can support communities in being resilient in the face of natural disasters
Take a look at some of the photos of First World War gallantry medal winners
A look at some of the different homes and houses in New Zealand through the archives
Discover the life of Private Alexander Mee through his WW1 service and probate files
Read about the breakout at Minqar Qaim that occurred in North Africa during the Second World War
Read more about the project to replace the hanging system used for the National Collection of War Art
Ever wondered what happens when a message in a bottle is found? A file held at our Wellington archive shows how these messages were investigated by the Marine Department in the first half of the twentieth century
COVID-19 has caused interest in New Zealand's worst disease outbreak, the 1918 Influenza Epidemic. Read more about how that epidemic impacted a rural community in the Bay of Plenty
Ninety-seven unclaimed Commemorative Scrolls from World War II (1939 – 1945) and the Korean War (1950 – 1953) are now available online
In 1981, we began gathering the National Collection of War Art to Archives NZ from art institutions around the country. Now the full variety of these 1500+ works can be viewed in our digital collection.
In recognition of Pride events and celebrations wrapping up around the country, we'd like to highlight a selection of LGBTQIA+ records we hold that show the diversity of archives available to the public.
Along with representatives of Ngāi Tahu communities in Canterbury and Westland, our Christchurch staff have identified, digitised and made available online significant local public archives documenting transactions between Ngāi Tahu and the Government.
Passport photos and application forms for the 1924/25 All Blacks squad "The Invincibles"
On February 12, 1909, the steam ship “Penguin” departed Picton for Wellington in favourable conditions, carrying over 100 passengers and crew. By the end of the night over two thirds of those on board had lost their lives
A selection of Christmas cards from Richard Seddon’s collection.
The Rugby World Cup kicks off in Japan this month and Archives New Zealand has received several requests for film footage relating to rugby. Back in March Japanese tv station NHK paid us a visit to do some onsite filming with Japanese actor Gaku Hamada
A selection of images surrounding the construction of Auckland Harbour Bridge
He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni - known in English as the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand – signalled the emergence of Māori authority on the world stage
Carmen Rupe, or simply ‘Carmen’ was a New Zealand-Australian drag performer, brothel keeper, activist, political candidate, and HIV/AIDS activist
The need for improved Auckland public transport occupied civic minds for decades. Various reports and plans produced from the 1920s to the 1970s include photographs of buildings potentially threatened by the construction of underground rail lines
A collection of records that illustrate goldmining on the Coromandel peninsula showing what it was like to live and work in the goldfields
A small selection of photographs from the Certificates of Registration issued by the Dunedin Collector of Customs
Highlighting some of the earliest survey maps of the Canterbury, Westland, Nelson and Marlborough Land Districts
Stories of Māori Women who signed the 1893 suffrage petition
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The Treaty of Waitangi: Nine sheets, seven months and the signatures of around 540 rangatira, but were any of these rangatira women? And if so, how many and who were they?
The 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition states ‘that large numbers of Women in the Colony have for several years petitioned Parliament to extend franchise to them’. But how did they define ‘Women’? Who was included and excluded in this definition?
He Tohu and the conservation work that went into the display of our precious taonga
Last updated on 09 March 2022
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