Tō Tātou Pōneke | Our Wellington
What can I do
Tō Tātou Pōneke
Our Wellington
Tō Tātou Pōneke brings together Wellington City Archives with Wellington City Libraries’ Māori, and local heritage collections and services. It’s a single point of access for knowledge, resources, records, histories and taonga of this region. A place to discover who we are, where we’ve come from, and how the stories of this place continue to shape us.
A shared sense of belonging
The name, Tō Tātou Pōneke | Our Wellington, reflects a shared sense of belonging and connection – to people, to place, to te taiao, and to the generations before us. At its heart is a simple purpose: sharing stories to create stronger connections between the people, land and cultures of Pōneke.
Archives
Our archives hold the official records, documents and taonga that preserve Wellington’s unique history. From council decisions and community movements to personal stories, these archives help us understand how our city has evolved – and how it continues to evolve. Whether you’re a researcher, a student, or simply curious, the archives are here to be explored.
Collections
Tō Tātou Pōneke | Our Wellington brings together a wide range of Māori, heritage and local history resources from the Wellington City Libraries' collections. Together, they reflect the diversity of Pōneke and offer opportunities for learning, research and connection.
Where to find us
You’ll find Tō Tātou Pōneke | Our Wellington on Te Papa Tuarua | Level 2, including Pae Manaaki | Manaaki Desk, the Reading Room, research PCs and key collections.
Services
- Collection access
Browse material onsite or request access through booked appointments. Our team can help locate items, plan your visit or guide your research. - Talks, tours and programmes
Tō Tātou Pōneke hosts events that bring Wellington’s stories to life. - Research assistance
Our staff are here to help with everything from quick questions to in-depth research. - Online resources
Access tools and databases for whakapapa research, archives, heritage stories, digitised newspapers and more. - Reading room
A quiet, supervised space for accessing special collections - or simply a calm place to work or study. - Research PCs
Dedicated computers for catalogues, indexes, heritage databases and online resources. - Reproduction and digitisation - coming soon
Reproduction and digitisation services will soon be available at Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui. Once launched, you’ll be able to request digital copies of collection items or use our digitisation stations to preserve family photos, letters, negatives, slides and film.