Ngā Pou Ruahine
One of Te Matapihi’s most inspiring spaces is Ngā Pou Ruahine, a beautifully designed area on the library’s upper floor dedicated to honouring wāhine (women) and their enduring strength. Often used for civic ceremonies and special gatherings, this room also welcomes any visitor seeking a quiet moment of reflection. Along its wall and ceiling stretches Earth Mothers, a dazzling Rawa (artwork) by renowned Māori artist Darcy Nicholas that celebrates the sacred life‑giving power of women. Enveloped by the colours and stories of Earth Mothers, you can’t help but feel the mana (spirit) of this place.
Ngā Rawa
Wander through Te Matapihi and you’ll quickly realise the library is also a living art gallery. Rawa refers to a series of commissioned artworks integrated seamlessly into the building’s architecture. These pieces aren’t confined to frames on a wall – they are the walls, the doors, even the ceiling. Keep an eye out for Brown Optimism, a bold poem by J.C. Sturm etched across the library’s exterior, calling for equality and reflection. Step inside and you might notice an enormous woven panel by artist Ngahina Hohaia's Ngā Tai o te Ao Mārama hanging above the entrance, its design inspired by the interwoven currents of nature.
Te Matapihi exhibitions
Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui houses three dedicated exhibition spaces, and they’re easy to miss if you don’t know about them – which is exactly why they’re hidden gems. These in-library galleries host rotating exhibitions that showcase Wellington’s art, history and communities, often with fresh perspectives. Because these exhibition spaces blend into the library’s layout, many visitors walk by without realising the wealth of art and history inside. But those who explore in are rewarded with insights into Wellington’s past, present and creative spirit.
Sound Studio
In a city buzzing with creativity, it’s only fitting that Wellington’s central library includes its very own Sound Studio. Tucked on the second level of Te Matapihi, this recording studio is something you might expect to find in a music school or media lab – but here it’s open to everyone, from budding musicians to podcasters and kids making their first song. The studio is fully soundproofed and kitted out with musical instruments, microphones, and mixing equipment. It’s not every day you see a drum kit and recording deck just a few steps away from bookshelves, and that sense of “wait, is this really in a library?” makes the Sound Studio one of Wellington’s coolest hidden gems. For locals, it’s a fantastic resource to create and experiment with audio; for visitors, it’s a surprising insight into how far beyond books a modern library can go.
Makerspaces
Libraries are no longer just quiet reading rooms – they’re community innovation hubs. Te Matapihi’s Makerspaces are proof of that, offering hands-on creative labs that anyone can use. Tucked behind bookshelves and glass walls, these spaces are stocked with tools and technology that most people don’t have at home, all available for free. Walk in and you’ll find a bank of 3D printers humming next to sewing machines and weaving looms. There are laser cutters and CNC machines for crafting designs, and even workstations for coding, robotics or digital art. Whether you’re a student working on a school project, an entrepreneur prototyping an idea, or just someone keen to try a new hobby, the Makerspaces provide a welcoming place to tinker, create, and collaborate.
