Alexander Horsburgh Turnbull 1868 - 1918		“Anything whatever relating to this Colony, on its history, flora, fauna, geology and inhabitants, will be fish for my net, from as early a date as possible until now."  Alexander Turnbull
Upon his death on the 28th of June 1918, Alexander Turnbull bequeathed all his Library comprising his printed books pamphlets engravings charts manuscripts sketches maps photographs plans and pictures as and to constitute a Reference Library for the use and reference of persons and students interested in the documentary heritage of New Zealand.

This significant gift of 55,000 items forms the basis of the Alexander Turnbull Library, first opened in 1920. It was New Zealand’s first and until 1967, it’s only national library.

His interests extended to works of literature (Milton in particular), voyages and exploration of the Pacific, history, flora, fauna, geology and works about the people of New Zealand and the Pacific and their society and cultures.

The Library has since grown to become a research library of international standing, with a mandate to collect, protect, preserve and make accessible the documentary heritage and taonga of national significance for all New Zealanders.

Centennial celebrations include:

Dr Charles Henry Lecture:  

The first event was a lecture by Dr Charles Henry: All Things Made New: Media, Research, Libraries, and the Idea of Culture. Dr Henry drew attention to new relationships and opportunities in the creation of new knowledge through digital technologies, new media forms and changing conceptions of the role of the library. 

• Lecture notes 

• Slideshow 

• Video

Pūkana Exhibition

Performance is at the heart of Māori culture and the way Māori engage with each other and the world, whether to celebrate, seduce, entertain, express dissent or anger, or to grieve. Traditional forms of performance – karanga, wero, haka, whaikōrero and waiata – connect the living to the spirit realm and invoke emotions, known as ‘te ihi’, ‘te wehi’ and ‘te wana’.

The exhibition engages us to consider the role of Māori performance in shaping Aotearoa now and in the future and to recognise its incredible richness and diversity.

Coming up: Mīharo Exhibition

‘Mīharo – Wonder’ exhibition will celebrate 100 years of the Alexander Turnbull Library by showcasing the breadth and depth of its collections. Key content will be drawn from across the formats and consist primarily of original collection material.