Library and Archives
The National Army Museum Te Mata Toa houses one of the leading military research centres in New Zealand. The Kippenberger Research Library and Military Archives is used by scholars, schools and the public to unearth details of New Zealand’s military history, learn more about the conflicts in which we fought, and trace family involvement in them.
RESEARCH LIBRARY
Open Monday to Friday, the Library has two major roles: providing a national centre for military studies, and connecting New Zealanders with their families’ military heritage.
Browse the Library’s catalogue of more than 10,000 books here.
Military studies
Military history has many facets, and in the Library can be found books on art, policy, law, strategy, poetry, biography and heraldry, alongside much more.
It also holds several special collections.
- The Kippenberger Collection – the personal library of Major General Howard Kippenberger, who commanded 20th Battalion and later 5th Brigade of the New Zealand Army during World War II. Many books contain Kippenberger’s personal annotations.
- The book collections of Major General Andrew Russell, commander of the New Zealand Division during World War I, and Major General Lindsay Inglis, who at times commanded the 2nd New Zealand Division in North Africa.
- The rare book collection, featuring many first editions and other hard-to-find volumes.
- Children and Youth war literature collection
- Rolls for Imperial and colonial units during the New Zealand Wars.
- Nominal rolls and rolls of honour for overseas conflicts, from the South African War to the present.
ARCHIVES
The archive holds the paper, photographic, magnetic and digital media that are part of the museum’s collection. These items date from as long ago as 1840, and relate to every theatre of war and peacekeeping mission in which the New Zealand Army has been involved. The collection is predominantly made up of donations from servicepeople and their families.
OPENING HOURS
Archive: Collection items in the Archive can be accessed by appointment. To arrange your visit or for other archival enquiries, please contact Collections and Exhibitions Manager, and acting archivist, Caitlin Timmer-Arends.
Library: Monday-Friday, 10:30am-4pm. Email and phone enquiries are welcome. Contact us online or call at any time on (06) 387 6911 ext. 215.
We’d Love to Hear From You
From museum visits to research support, our team is ready to assist you on your journey through New Zealand’s military history.