Archives New Zealand — Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga — is the government’s official archive, holding the official records of New Zealand from earliest European settlement to the present day. The Wellington repository at 10 Mulgrave Street in Thorndon is the main public reading room, where researchers can request and view original government documents, including Treaty of Waitangi records, public service files, court records, land records, military files, and much more. A visit requires advance booking — you request records before arriving, and the archive contacts you to confirm.
Practical Information
| Address | 10 Mulgrave Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 |
|---|---|
| Reading room hours | Monday – Friday, 10am – 3pm |
| Weekends | Closed |
| Entry | Free |
| Booking | Required — request records in advance via archives.govt.nz; wait for confirmation before visiting |
| Phone | (04) 499 5595 |
| ge***************@******vt.nz | |
| Location | Thorndon precinct, near National Library and Parliament |
About Archives New Zealand
Archives New Zealand is a government department (part of the Department of Internal Affairs) responsible for managing and providing access to the official records of New Zealand. The Wellington reading room is the primary public access point, holding the most significant and frequently requested collections. These include files from central government agencies, the courts, the armed forces, and key records relating to Māori land and Crown dealings.
The building sits in Wellington’s government precinct on Mulgrave Street, adjacent to the National Library and a short walk from Parliament. It’s one of a cluster of significant public institutions in the area — Archives, the National Library, and the Parliamentary Library are all within a few hundred metres of each other on Molesworth and Mulgrave Streets.
What You Can Research
The archive holds an enormous range of material, most of which is accessible to the public subject to any access restrictions on individual items. Heavily researched collections include: World War I and World War II military service records, naturalisation and immigration files, early New Zealand land records and surveys, court and justice records, and government departmental files going back to the 19th century. The online archive catalogue at collections.archives.govt.nz allows you to search for records before visiting.
Where to Learn More
Archives New Zealand — Visit a Reading Room: Step-by-step guidance on how to book a visit, request records, and what to expect when you arrive.
Archives New Zealand — Wellington Repository Online Catalogue: Search the Wellington holdings before your visit to identify records to request.
FAQ
Where is Archives New Zealand in Wellington?
At 10 Mulgrave Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 — in the government precinct near the National Library and Parliament. The reading room is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes — you need to request specific records before visiting using the Wellington reading room request form on archives.govt.nz. The archive will contact you (within two working days) to confirm your visit. Don’t arrive without booking.
Is there a fee to access records?
No — access to the reading room and viewing records is free. Some reproduction or digitisation services may have fees.
What kinds of records can I access?
Government departmental files, military service records, immigration and naturalisation records, court files, land records, and much more from the 19th century to the present. Not all records are open — some have access restrictions. The online catalogue indicates access status for each item.
Can I search the archive online before visiting?
Yes — the online catalogue at collections.archives.govt.nz allows you to search Wellington holdings, check access status, and identify records to request. This is the recommended starting point for any research visit.
Are the archives open on weekends?
No — the Wellington reading room is open Monday to Friday only, 10am to 3pm.
Explore more things to do on the Things to Do in Wellington page, or visit the National Library of New Zealand nearby for access to the Alexander Turnbull Library collections, or the Wellington Central Library Te Matapihi for public library services.