Libraries
Our libraries offer Auckland residents an extensive range of library services from 55 locations, covering an area reaching from Wellsford in the north to Pukekohe in the south. This is the largest public library network in the Southern Hemisphere, serving the largest single city population.
No matter where you live, work, play, study or shop in the Auckland region, there will be a library near you. Membership is free and gives you access to the collections and services of all the libraries in the network.
Already belong to an Auckland (Rodney, North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland, Manukau, Papakura or Franklin) library? You can use your existing card anywhere across the region.
For more information on services provided by Auckland libraries, including branches and opening hours, visit our libraries website.
Council archives
Auckland Council was established on November 1, 2010, incorporating the former Auckland Regional Council, Auckland Manukau, North Shore and Waitakere City Councils, and Franklin, Papakura and Rodney District Councils.
Now, Auckland Council Archives brings together access to the archives of these councils, and their predecessors. The surviving archival records of all the former authorities are now part of the Auckland Council Archives and available for research by the public.
Former Council archives:
Auckland Regional Council was formed in 1989. The council took over the functions and responsibilities of the Auckland Regional Authority, which was established in 1963.
The surviving archival records of these former authorities and their predecessors are now part of the Auckland Council archives and are available for research by the public.
Request access to the archives
Auckland City Council was established in 1871. Since then the council's boundaries have expanded. The most substantial change was in 1989, which saw the amalgamation of 11 territorial local authorities to form Auckland city.
The surviving archival records of these former authorities and their predecessors are now part of the Auckland Council archives and are available for research by the public.
Auckland City Council archives - information and access
Franklin District was formed in 1989 by the amalgamation of Franklin County, Pukekohe Borough, Waiuku Borough and Tuakau Borough, along with the northern portion of the former Raglan County.
The surviving archival records of these former authorities and their predecessors are now part of the Auckland Council archives and are available for research by the public.
Request access to the archives
Manukau City was formed by the amalgamation of Manukau County and Manurewa Borough in 1965. Howick Borough and Papatoetoe City were incorporated in the city in 1989. Manukau City Council archives therefore include the surviving records of Howick Borough, Manukau City, Manurewa Borough and Papatoetoe City and their predecessor and successor bodies.
The surviving archival records of these former authorities and their predecessors are now part of the Auckland Council archives and are available for research by the public.
Request access to the archives
North Shore City came into being in 1989 when five local authorities Devonport Borough, Northcote Borough, Takapuna City, East Coast Bays City and Birkenhead City were amalgamated, together with the North Shore Drainage Board.
The surviving archival records of these former authorities and their predecessors are now part of the Auckland Council archives and are available for research by the public.
Request access to the archives
Papakura District was formed in 1989 from Papakura City with the addition of the Takanini, Alfriston and Ardmore areas from Manukau City and the Drury and Karaka areas from Franklin County.
The surviving archival records of these former authorities and their predecessors are now part of the Auckland Council archives and are available for research by the public.
Request access to the archives
Rodney District Council was formed in 1989 by the amalgamation of Helensville Borough and Rodney County Council.
The surviving archival records of these former authorities and their predecessors are now part of the Auckland Council archives and are available for research by the public.
Request access to the archives
Waitakere City Council was formed by the amalgamation of Waitemata City with the boroughs of Henderson, New Lynn, and Glen Eden in the 1989.
The surviving archival records of these former authorities and their predecessors are now part of the Auckland Council archives and are available for research by the public.
Request access to the archives
Our responsibility
We have the responsibility to identify records that are of continuing or archival value, to preserve them and make them available to council and the public. The Public Records Act 2005 requires us to keep and make publicly available, records of archival value.
Records are considered to have continuing or archival value if they:
- provide concise evidence of the deliberations, decisions and actions of the council relating to key functions and programmes and significant issues.
- preserve evidence of the source of authority, foundation and machinery of the council.
- contain evidence that is essential to the protection and future well being of the people of the city and their environment.
- have a special capacity to illustrate the condition and status of the city, its people, the impact of council activity on them, and the interaction of the people of Auckland with council.
- have a substantial capacity to enrich knowledge and understanding of aspects of New Zealand's development, history, society, culture and people.
Accessing Council archives
To access any of the Auckland Council archives - including former authority archives, phone (09) 307 7792 or email Auckland Council archives.