Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library is where you can open windows to the wide world. It will be a place where people can learn, cultures and communities can connect with each other, and everyone can enjoy access to open public spaces.
About Te Matapihi
Wellingtonians love their libraries, and Te Matapihi Central Library has a special place in their hearts. That’s why the Council confirmed in 2020 that the building would be remediated to the highest standard (base isolation), following its closure to the public in March 2019.
In 2020, work began on the future for Te Matapihi. This process involved consultation with the Wellington public, including mana whenua, and many other key stakeholders and partners. The feedback was clear: Wellingtonians wanted Te Matapihi to be first and foremost a safe, resilient, and future-proofed library, a centre for public knowledge, and a multipurpose, multi-use resource for the community.
As a result of that community engagement, in April 2021 Council adopted the following guiding principles:
- Engage fully with mana whenua
- Design for the visitor
- Harness the power of partnership
- Make it a modern library, fit for purpose, make it Wellington.
When Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui reopens you will find:
- the Central Library Services
- the City Archive
- the Council customer services
- on site Capital E services for young people to grow their creativity
- a large ground floor café
- active spaces for meeting and making connections
- quiet spaces to study and read.
The target is for the building to have a 5-Green-Star rating, meaning it has a high standard in terms of environmentally sustainable design.
Te Matapihi will be integral part of the Capital and the life of Wellington. Everyone who comes to Te Matapihi can expect to find inspiring experiences, books, spaces and more, all opening a window to knowledge and connection.
Project milestones
Updates
Read the latest news and updates and follow the progress of the construction through images and video.