About the Library

Contact Details

Christchurch City Libraries
work PO Box 1466,
Christchurch Mail Centre,
Christchurch 8140,
New Zealand.
workp: +64-3-941-7923
faxf: +64-3-941-7075
urlw: christchurchcitylibraries.com

Archives Collection

Manuscript

The Archives are a rich collection of primary sources for the city’s history. The collection includes the records of local and community organisations and clubs, church archives, genealogical records, business archives, original diaries and manuscripts, as well as the papers of individuals. The material relates to Christchurch, the Canterbury region and the Chatham Islands from 1850 onwards.

Read an interview with Information specialist Rosemary O’Neil.

How can I find out what is held in the Archives?

Search the Christchurch City Libraries catalogue.

Where and when can I use the Archive Collection?

Items from the Archives can be viewed in our Research Room, in the Aotearoa New Zealand collection at the Central Library, Gloucester Street, during normal library opening hours.

Using the Archives

  • Contact the Aotearoa New Zealand Centre before your visit to find the items you wish to view. The items will be ready in the Research Room for when you plan to arrive.
  • Items can be kept in the Research Room if you are planning your research over several days.
  • Only pencils, notepaper and laptops can be taken into the Research Room. Secure lockers are provided for all your other possessions just outside the Research Room.
  • You must provide ID before using the Archives - the following are acceptable forms of ID: Christchurch City Library Card; Driver’s Licence; Student ID card; Community Services card; Bank or Cash-flow card (if name is embossed on card).
  • You are also required to fill out an Archives Register.
  • To protect our unique and irreplaceable archives, white gloves for handling materials are supplied. The order of documents in files must also be strictly observed and retained.
  • Some archival and heritage materials may have photocopying restrictions.
  • Access is not granted to unprocessed collections.

Visiting Christchurch for your Research?

The Central Library is conveniently located not far from Cathedral Square. The area around the library has a variety of restaurants and cafes.

Additions to the Archives

The library welcomes offers of additions to the archives. If you have material documenting aspects of our past or present-day life and are interested in its preservation please contact the Aotearoa New Zealand Centre.

Offers of additions to the archives will be assessed as to whether the material meets the collection criteria of the Aotearoa New Zealand Centre. If the library is not the most appropriate repository for the material, then alternative institutes will be recommended.

Other Archives

The library has a comprehensive list of links to archives - national and international. Some archives have material that can be viewed online. To see what other archives are physically located in Christchurchcheck localeye.