https://wellington.gen.nz/central-library The Central Library has been closed since March 2019 due to quake-resilience concerns. https://www.acwellington.org.nz/library-full-of-goodies/ The adage that “Good things come to those who wait” can certainly be trotted out for the new City Library – Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui (‘the window to the wider world’). But it still seems like a very long time since it closed in March 2019 when a seismic assessment ruled that it ... Read more central-library libraries communitygroups elderly Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.acwellington.org.nz/library-full-of-goodies/ Age Concern Wellington 2026-03-09T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://www.capitale.org.nz/2026/02/ben-ngaia-joins-our-design-team-as-mana-whenua-advisor/ Image credit: Ringa Hora Workforce Development Council We’re excited to announce the mana whenua advisor for the design of our new play space at Te Matapihi ki Te Ao Nui, Wellington Central Library. central-library libraries education Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.capitale.org.nz/2026/02/ben-ngaia-joins-our-design-team-as-mana-whenua-advisor/ Capital E 2026-02-10T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=177255 central-library libraries media Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=177255 Wellington Scoop 2026-01-23T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://www.capitale.org.nz/2026/01/the-start-of-a-great-year/ Our new play space for under 5s Welcome back and happy new year! It’s set to be a big year for Nōku te Ao Capital E. central-library libraries education Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.capitale.org.nz/2026/01/the-start-of-a-great-year/ Capital E 2026-01-15T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/12/what-to-expect-at-our-new-digital-studios-at-te-matapihi-ki-te-ao-nui/ Exciting things are happening at Nōku te Ao Capital E as we prepare to move our Digital Learning Studios to Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, Wellington Central Library. central-library libraries education Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/12/what-to-expect-at-our-new-digital-studios-at-te-matapihi-ki-te-ao-nui/ Capital E 2025-12-21T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/12/frequently-asked-questions-our-new-play-space-at-te-matapihi-ki-te-ao-nui/ There are less than 100 days until we open at Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, Wellington Central Library. central-library libraries education Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/12/frequently-asked-questions-our-new-play-space-at-te-matapihi-ki-te-ao-nui/ Capital E 2025-12-11T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/12/three-tamariki-spaces-to-inspire-play-at-noku-te-ao-capital-e/ Scott Parker is currently busy designing our new play space in Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui. central-library libraries education Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/12/three-tamariki-spaces-to-inspire-play-at-noku-te-ao-capital-e/ Capital E 2025-12-02T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/11/last-days-to-play-at-4-queens-wharf/ Our play space is taking a nap over the summer while our new home Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, Wellington Central Library, gets its finishing touches. central-library libraries education Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/11/last-days-to-play-at-4-queens-wharf/ Capital E 2025-11-16T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/11/introducing-the-designer-creating-our-new-play-space/ Image credit: Frances Parker We are excited to announce that Scott Parker will be designing and building our new play space in Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, Wellington’s new Central Library. central-library libraries education Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/11/introducing-the-designer-creating-our-new-play-space/ Capital E 2025-11-10T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/09/opening-date-announced-for-te-matapihi-ki-te-ao-nui-central-library/ Our upcoming move to Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui is starting to feel very real. central-library libraries education Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/09/opening-date-announced-for-te-matapihi-ki-te-ao-nui-central-library/ Capital E 2025-09-24T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/09/upcoming-closure-monday-29-september/ Please note PlayHQ will be closing one hour earlier than usual on Monday 29 September, as our kaimahi work on exciting experiences for our new play space in Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library. On Monday, Whānau can visit between 9.30am-2.30pm. We will be open at our regular hours for the remainder of […] The post Closing Early: Monday 29 September first appeared on Nōku te Ao Capital E. central-library libraries education Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.capitale.org.nz/2025/09/upcoming-closure-monday-29-september/ Capital E 2025-09-22T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz/News/Five-Questions-with-Cat-Connor Ahead of her book launch at Central Library on 11 April 2025, local author Cat Connor shares insights into character development and her choice to set a book series in Upper Hutt. upper-hutt central-library libraries huttvalley places government Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz/News/Five-Questions-with-Cat-Connor Upper Hutt City Council 2025-03-31T00:00:00Z -41.1240674 175.0699589 Upper Hutt, Upper Hutt City, Wellington, 5218, New Zealand https://www.capitale.org.nz/2024/10/returning-home-to-te-matapihi/ We’re moving to Wellington’s new central library, Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, in early 2026. central-library libraries education Sun, 20 Oct 2024 21:02:05 GMT https://www.capitale.org.nz/2024/10/returning-home-to-te-matapihi/ Capital E 2024-10-20T21:02:05Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://architecture.org.nz/2024/09/06/puheke-city-to-sea/ As you may be aware Council members were briefed on Te Ngākau Civic Square Precinct Development Plan, created by Pōneke Collective with Council officers, on September 4. The council will receive further briefings on per-site proposals in July next year. The Town Hall, Te Matapihi Central Library, and the Civic Administration Building (CAB) and Municipal […] civic-square central-library libraries places architecture communitygroups Thu, 05 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://architecture.org.nz/2024/09/06/puheke-city-to-sea/ Architectural Centre Inc 2024-09-05T00:00:00Z -41.28871245 174.77854018809037 City to Sea Bridge, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, New Zealand https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=159321 For many of us, the word “library” has comfortable connotations. It suggests rows of books in which to browse, make discoveries and pass them on to friends and family. Beyond being a resource centre for culture and practical information, a typical library is also a community meeting ground and a safe drop-in space for kids after school. It is also one of the relatively few public destinations in town where people don’t have to spend money. At present, the content and function of libraries – and the funding for them – are in flux. Those on higher incomes don’t need or use libraries as much. central-library libraries media Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=159321 Wellington Scoop 2024-04-03T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=147253 libraries central-library earthquake-strengthening media Thu, 08 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=147253 Wellington Scoop 2022-09-08T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://eyeofthefish.org/portals/ At the risk of raising the hackles of the designers of the revised Library design, who appear to have positioned an overly-large bedside table next to the beloved crinkly face of the Wellington Library, Te Matapihi, I’d like to explore the concept of “The Portal” a little further. I hope that you don’t mind. I used to call it the Portico, but I’ve been very firmly told that I am mistaken. libraries central-library architecture blogs Mon, 16 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://eyeofthefish.org/portals/ Eye of the Fish 2022-05-16T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://eyeofthefish.org/te-matapihi/ The unveiling of the scheme for the revised central Wellington Library has had an interesting effect. Some people have been shocked at the price, of... libraries central-library architecture blogs Tue, 03 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://eyeofthefish.org/te-matapihi/ Eye of the Fish 2022-05-03T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=135398 central-library libraries media Fri, 09 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=135398 Wellington Scoop 2021-04-09T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/ltp-central-library Wellington’s much-loved Central Library was closed in March 2019 following an engineering assessment saying that the way the floor was designed presented a high level of potential failure in a significant earthquake. It has a similar floor design to one used in the now demolished Statistics House, where a floor collapsed in the Kaikoura earthquakes. In 2020, we ran a six-week consultation in which we asked for public feedback on five options for restoring a Central Library service in Te Ngākau Civic Square. The options all considered the resilience of the building, future proofing the library service, the connection to Te Ngākau, and the overall costs. central-library libraries wcc government Tue, 06 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/ltp-central-library Wellington City Council 2021-04-06T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=134604 Open letter to the Wellington Mayor and City Councillors I write with a degree of alarm and anger over your proposals for the Central Library and Te Ngakau/Civic Centre. I am urgently asking you to amend the draft LTP at your meeting on Thursday. central-library civic-square libraries places media Tue, 02 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=134604 Wellington Scoop 2021-03-02T00:00:00Z -41.2886381 174.7770472723911 Te Ngākau Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/news/2021/02/the-value-a-society-places-on-knowledge-is-judged-by-how-it-treats-public-libraries Professor Anne Goulding from the School of Information Management explains why the part privatisation of Wellington's Central Library is dangerous in this opinion piece originally published on Stuff.co.nz central-library libraries kelburn places vuw education Thu, 25 Feb 2021 21:56:48 GMT https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/news/2021/02/the-value-a-society-places-on-knowledge-is-judged-by-how-it-treats-public-libraries Victoria University of Wellington 2021-02-25T21:56:48Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://eyeofthefish.org/listing-buildings/ Not sure if you realise this yet, but the proverbial cat has just been thrown amongst the proverbial pigeons. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (what used to be called the Historic Places Trust) has just announced three new grade 1 heritage listings in Wellington: Trades Hall, Wellington Central Library, and a combined Gordon Wilson and McLean flats as well. central-library heritagebuildings libraries localhistory architecture blogs Thu, 25 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://eyeofthefish.org/listing-buildings/ Eye of the Fish 2021-02-25T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://eyeofthefish.org/ranting/ Suddenly out of nowhere, a storm brews up. central-library libraries architecture blogs Wed, 24 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://eyeofthefish.org/ranting/ Eye of the Fish 2021-02-24T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=131793 Thank you Wellington for your feedback on the future of our Central Library. Your input has been thoughtful, informative, and your views have been diverse. Many of you sympathised with us in the decision we have to make – recognising that there were pluses and minuses of each of the five options. central-library libraries media Sat, 17 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=131793 Wellington Scoop 2020-10-17T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=131755 The Ian Athfield designed Wellington Central Library that was built in 1991 was placed just a stone’s throw, and a quarter turn around the square, from the 1940 Centennial Library building that it replaced. That building continues to provide great service as the City Gallery. libraries central-library civic-square places media Sat, 17 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=131755 Wellington Scoop 2020-10-17T00:00:00Z -41.2886381 174.7770472723911 Te Ngākau Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/news/2020/09/library-needs-to-foster-connection-and-collaboration While Wellington's boarded-up central library is a sad prospect, the city and its communities are now presented with an exciting opportunity, writes Professor Anne Goulding. central-library libraries kelburn places vuw education Tue, 01 Sep 2020 22:14:55 GMT https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/news/2020/09/library-needs-to-foster-connection-and-collaboration Victoria University of Wellington 2020-09-01T22:14:55Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=130613 In May this year, while researching my submission to the Wellington City Council requesting re-opening of the Central Library, I unearthed a 2013 report commissioned by council staff and written by the reputable firm of Holmes consulting engineers who had been asked to “evaluate the likely seismic performance of the existing Wellington City Library Building.” central-library libraries media Fri, 28 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=130613 Wellington Scoop 2020-08-28T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=130318 central-library libraries media Sat, 15 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=130318 Wellington Scoop 2020-08-15T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=130015 Inner City Wellington (ICW) has found a number of issues in the Central Library Consultation document where information is not clear, making it difficult to objectively determine which option to choose. We are seeking clarification publicly as we believe it will not only be beneficial to us in making our submission, but also to others. consultation libraries central-library media Tue, 04 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=130015 Wellington Scoop 2020-08-04T00:00:00Z -41.288190150000005 174.77673076998568 Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand