New Zealand Parliamentary Library, Wellington
The New Zealand Parliamentary Library, formerly known as the General Assembly Library until 1985, serves as the primary library and information hub for the New Zealand Parliament. Its current premises were completed in 1899.
Initially, the General Assembly Library was housed in a modest room shared with the Auckland Provincial Council, containing a mere 750 volumes in 1860. Subsequently, it relocated to a cottage behind the main Parliament building, where its collection expanded to 4000 books. However, during Parliament's move to Wellington in 1862, a ship carrying some of its books, the White Swan, met with disaster on the Wairarapa coast, resulting in the loss of many valuable documents and reference materials.
The mishap of the White Swan was often cited as the reason for the failure to produce certain documents deemed sensitive. Despite setbacks, the library continued to grow, eventually occupying six spacious rooms behind Parliament in Wellington. Cataloguing efforts began with an author catalogue in 1867, followed by a classified catalogue in 1872. By 1897, the library boasted nearly 40,000 volumes, making it a vital repository of knowledge and a source of international ideas, philosophy, and literature for parliamentarians and staff alike.
Alfred Domett, New Zealand's Premier and a poet, advocated for limited access to non-parliamentarians, a privilege that faced opposition at times. Notably, writer Katherine Mansfield enjoyed borrowing privileges during parliamentary recesses, accessing works by various authors including Heinrich Heine, Nietzsche, and translations of Bushido by Dr. Inazo Nitobe.
The current library building in Wellington, now occupied by the Parliamentary Library, was originally constructed for the General Assembly Library in 1899. Designed by Thomas Turnbull in the Gothic Revival style, it was built to withstand fire, utilizing brick made at Mount Cook gaol and featuring an iron firedoor that protected the library during the 1907 fire which ravaged the wooden parliament buildings.
Recognized as a Category I heritage structure by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, it stands as the oldest surviving building within the Parliament complex.
Initially, the General Assembly Library was housed in a modest room shared with the Auckland Provincial Council, containing a mere 750 volumes in 1860. Subsequently, it relocated to a cottage behind the main Parliament building, where its collection expanded to 4000 books. However, during Parliament's move to Wellington in 1862, a ship carrying some of its books, the White Swan, met with disaster on the Wairarapa coast, resulting in the loss of many valuable documents and reference materials.
The mishap of the White Swan was often cited as the reason for the failure to produce certain documents deemed sensitive. Despite setbacks, the library continued to grow, eventually occupying six spacious rooms behind Parliament in Wellington. Cataloguing efforts began with an author catalogue in 1867, followed by a classified catalogue in 1872. By 1897, the library boasted nearly 40,000 volumes, making it a vital repository of knowledge and a source of international ideas, philosophy, and literature for parliamentarians and staff alike.
Alfred Domett, New Zealand's Premier and a poet, advocated for limited access to non-parliamentarians, a privilege that faced opposition at times. Notably, writer Katherine Mansfield enjoyed borrowing privileges during parliamentary recesses, accessing works by various authors including Heinrich Heine, Nietzsche, and translations of Bushido by Dr. Inazo Nitobe.
The current library building in Wellington, now occupied by the Parliamentary Library, was originally constructed for the General Assembly Library in 1899. Designed by Thomas Turnbull in the Gothic Revival style, it was built to withstand fire, utilizing brick made at Mount Cook gaol and featuring an iron firedoor that protected the library during the 1907 fire which ravaged the wooden parliament buildings.
Recognized as a Category I heritage structure by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, it stands as the oldest surviving building within the Parliament complex.
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New Zealand Parliamentary Library on Map
Sight Name: New Zealand Parliamentary Library
Sight Location: Wellington, New Zealand (See walking tours in Wellington)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Wellington, New Zealand (See walking tours in Wellington)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Wellington, New Zealand
Create Your Own Walk in Wellington
Creating your own self-guided walk in Wellington is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Wellington Introduction Walking Tour
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and the country's second-largest city after Auckland. It also has the distinction of being the world's windiest city by average wind speed.
The city was designed by Captain William Mein Smith in 1840. He was the first Surveyor General for Edward Wakefield's New Zealand Company. The name comes from Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
The city was designed by Captain William Mein Smith in 1840. He was the first Surveyor General for Edward Wakefield's New Zealand Company. The name comes from Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Historical Buildings Walking Tour
The first immigrants to New Zealand brought along their sense of style. Most of the country's first settlers, if not all of them, were Britishers; the capital city was no exception. The latter fact is duly reflected in Wellington's historical architecture. These buildings offer a glimpse into the city's past and add a great deal of charm to the cityscape. Let's take a quick... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles