He Matapihi Library

Te Whare Pukapuka o He Matapihi – Closing 30 June 2023

He Matapihi Library
He Matapihi Library

Sadly, our lease at the National Library is coming to an end as construction begins to join the National Library building with the National Archives.

Our partnership with the National Library began when we had to move out of the Central Library so that it could undergo earthquake strengthening, and we’ve greatly enjoyed our time there.

We have always been aware that our lease would end this year, which has allowed us to be well prepared and to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Unfortunately, there is no option to remain at 70 Molesworth Street, but our two central city branches – Te Awe in Brandon Street and Arapaki in Manners Street – are open until Te Matapihi Central Library reopens in 2026.

All of our collections will still be available to be reserved, and they will be redistributed across our other libraries and Te Pātaka, our Collection and Distribution Centre. We look forward to seeing you back at another Wellington library soon.

Read our full FAQs below:

Why is the He Matapihi Library building closing in June 2023?

Our lease for the He Matapihi library has always been for a fixed term. This is due to the building programme for Tāhuhu, the new National Archives building, which connects to the National Library.

From August 2023, the National Library building programme will involve the space which He Matapihi occupies.

During July, we will be moving our technology, shelving, and collection items to other sites.

Read more about the building works

I have items on reserve to pick-up at He Matapihi. If they don’t arrive before you close, what do I do?

You can change the pick-up location on any reserved item after logging into your account in the library catalogue.

You can also call the Wellington City Libraries on 801-4040 or email us on enquiries@wcl.govt.nz for assistance.

I am trying to place a new reserve which I’m hoping arrives in time but I can’t find He Matapihi as a pickup location

To help us prepare for moving, you will need to select a different pickup location after 20th June for new reserves.

I’ve just had a notice that my reserve(s) are available to be picked up at He Matapihi. Is that correct?

You are able to pick up reserves that you have been notified are waiting for you until we close on 30 June. Staff will be contacting customers who have not picked up their waiting reserves by 30 June and sending the book to your preferred library branch. When you are finished, you may return the book to any branch.

I have set He Matapihi as my preferred library branch, what do I do now?

You can change your preferred branch after logging into your account in the library catalogue. At the end of the Account summary screen you can select a new location and save it.

You can also call the Wellington City Libraries on 801-4040 or email us on enquiries@wcl.govt.nz for assistance.

We will also be emailing all customers who use He Matapihi about the need to change this from July.

What’s happening to the books and collections?

After a short pause while we move, these collections will still be available to request. Our Collections team will be making decisions about transferring items to the right locations across the city. Many items will be transferred to our main collection area at Te Pātaka, and others, such as new books, will be transferred to our larger branches.

All titles will still be available to reserve and be delivered to your local library branch to pick-up.

Where will the staff go?

All staff will work from another library branch location in a similar role.

If I have items on loan, how do I return them?

You may return your items to any other Wellington City Libraries branch. We will also have a returns bin at the National Library for a few months.

What will be in the space? Can I still use it for study?

In the immediate future it will be part of the building works to connect the new National Archives building to the National Library building. The National Library will decide what the space is used for in future.

If you are looking for a study space nearby, we can recommend the Te Awe Library in Brandon St.

What other library branches are nearby that I can use?

We also have the following branches nearby (distance from He Matapihi Library):

Te Awe Library, 29 Brandon St (1.0km)

Arapaki Library and Service Centre, 12 Manners St (1.8km)

Wadestown Library, 1 Moorhouse St, Wadestown (2.0km)

Details of our other branches