Last updated July 2026
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision is Aotearoa New Zealand’s national audiovisual archive, preserving and providing access to one of the country’s largest collections of film, television, radio and recorded sound. The Wellington public access point is located on Level 1 of the National Library of New Zealand building at 70 Molesworth Street in Thorndon. Visitors can browse the online collection free of charge at the Ngā Taonga desk in the General Reading Room, with appointments available for additional material. The archive holds significant Māori and Pasifika content alongside broader New Zealand audiovisual heritage spanning more than a century.
Practical Information
| Address | Ngā Taonga desk, General Reading Room, Level 1, National Library of New Zealand, 70 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 |
| Hours | Ngā Taonga desk: Monday–Friday 10am–5pm, Saturday 9am–1pm. Appointments in Katherine Mansfield Reading Room: Monday–Friday 10am–4:30pm |
| Admission | Free for public access to the online collection and general viewing. Appointments for specific items arranged in advance |
| Phone | 0800 642 826 (0800 NGA TAONGA) |
| fi**********@***********rg.nz (for research appointments) |
About Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision serves as Aotearoa New Zealand’s national audiovisual archive. It was formed in 2014 through the amalgamation of the New Zealand Film Archive and the Sound Archives of Radio New Zealand, creating an integrated organisation responsible for preserving the nation’s moving image and sound heritage.
The collection includes feature films, documentaries, newsreels, television programmes, radio recordings, home movies and oral histories. It contains over 800,000 items and places particular emphasis on Māori and Pasifika audiovisual taonga alongside material documenting broader New Zealand life, culture and history.
The archive actively undertakes digitisation and preservation work to protect at-risk material. Its remit focuses on both safeguarding the collection for future generations and making content accessible to researchers, iwi, communities and the public.
Visiting and Research Access
Members of the public can visit the Ngā Taonga desk in the General Reading Room on Level 1 of the National Library without an appointment to access the online collection and general material. The desk operates extended hours including Saturday mornings.
For items not available online or requiring supervised viewing, appointments can be arranged in the Katherine Mansfield Reading Room. Requests should be made several days in advance as material may need retrieval from storage. The National Library provides the supervised space and visitors should review its reading room guidelines before attending.
What Visitors Often Say
Researchers and visitors appreciate the helpful staff and the opportunity to access unique New Zealand audiovisual material in a central Wellington location. Many note the convenience of combining a visit with other National Library collections and the value of free public access to the online catalogue.
Some users mention that advance planning is needed for specific research requests, while general browsing of the online collection is straightforward during opening hours. The archive is described as an important cultural resource for those interested in New Zealand’s media and social history.
Where to Learn More
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision official website: Details on the collection, visiting information, research requests and digitisation projects.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision – Wikipedia: Overview of the archive’s history, predecessor organisations and collection scope.
National Library of New Zealand: Information on the shared building, reading rooms and related heritage collections including He Tohu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ngā Taonga free to visit?
Yes, public access to the Ngā Taonga desk and the online collection is free. Appointments for specific research material are also provided without charge, though advance booking is required.
Where is Ngā Taonga located in Wellington?
The public desk is on Level 1 of the National Library of New Zealand at 70 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, in the General Reading Room. Appointments may use the Katherine Mansfield Reading Room in the same building.
What are the current opening hours?
The Ngā Taonga desk operates Monday to Friday 10am–5pm and Saturday 9am–1pm. Supervised viewing appointments run Monday to Friday 10am–4:30pm.
What can I access without an appointment?
Visitors can freely browse and view the online collection of over 800,000 items at the Ngā Taonga desk during opening hours. No booking is needed for general access.
How do I arrange access to specific collection items?
Email fi**********@***********rg.nz or use the request form on the official website. Appointments for non-online material should be made several days ahead.
What does the collection include?
The archive holds feature films, documentaries, newsreels, television programmes, radio recordings, home movies and oral histories, with strong representation of Māori and Pasifika content.
Is the archive open on weekends and public holidays?
The desk is open Saturday mornings but closed on Sundays and public holidays. Confirm current hours directly as they can change.
Can I combine a visit with other National Library collections?
Yes, the building also houses He Tohu and the Alexander Turnbull Library, allowing visitors to explore multiple heritage resources in one location.
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