Central Library
Te Koopuu Maania o Kirikiriroa
Saturday 12 September 2026
10.30am - 5pm — Late start
Saturday 19 September 2026
10.30am - 5pm — Late start
Central Library in Garden Place Te Koopuu Maania o Kirikiriroa is the community library for the inner city and nearby suburbs. It also acts as a hub, offering larger lending collections than other local libraries. It holds specialist and research collections, including Archives, Reference & Special Collections, newspapers, world languages, music scores, and Stack.
According to our traditional accounts, the original name for the hill that once extended through Garden Place was known to Ngaati Wairere as Te Koopuu Maania o Kirikiriroa (the smooth belly of Kirikiriroa). This hill was famed in pre-European times for its gardens and cultivations along its eastern and northern slopes.
The building exterior features a whakataukii:
He toi tupu,
Growth of the treasure,
He toi ora,
Sustenance of the treasure,
He toi i ahu mai,
Development of the treasure,
i Hawaiki e
The treasure that stems from Hawaiki
The whakataukii uses natural light to create shifting shadows throughout the day. Its facade symbolises both traditional and digital storytelling and knowledge.
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Monday 9.30am - 5.30pm
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Tuesday 9.30am - 5.30pm
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Wednesday 9.30am - 5.30pm
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Thursday 9.30am - 8pm
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Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm
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Saturday 10.30am - 5pmLate start
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Sunday 9.30am - 5pm
Contact information
Phone number
07 838 6824Kaiarataki Pokapuu/Hub Lead
Shannon Cooper
Nightly Light Show at Central Library
This work "Springtime" is a reflection of the natural world moving from winter into spring. Flowing on from Matariki as a time of rest and refresh, the shift into spring finds the environment around us building new life. Plants growing, birds are more playful, and the sealife continues to flourish. This light animation is a playful celebration of the natural world and how we should be more aware of these things around us.
The artist, Wolfgang, brings a multidisciplinary creative practice that spans music, theatre, literature, and visual arts. Based in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, he has worked across these creative fields, developing a diverse artistic portfolio. Having previously released four albums of original music, he shifted his focus to visual arts, where illustration and animation have become his core areas of interest. His first book, The Galacteers, is an imaginative sci-fi picture book for children.
The lights are switched on nightly, from half an hour before sunset through until midnight and 5am until 8am.
Te Paataka
Located on Level 2 of Te Koopuu Maania o Kirikiriroa Central Library, Te Paataka is a welcoming space for learning, connection, creativity, and reflection.
This unique environment is inspired by the concept of a ‘paataka’ as a storehouse of knowledge. It brings together local Maaori narratives, the natural world, and the library's role as a place where stories, ideas, and knowledge are shared and preserved. An interactive Maaori art installation creates an engaging backdrop that encourages visitors to explore, discover, and connect with the stories of this whenua.
Te Paataka is designed to be flexible and inclusive, offering quiet study areas, collaborative learning spaces, and a dedicated children's space for everyday use.