Nau Mai Haere Mai

HE KAITIAKI AHAU 
Become a 
Library Kaitiaki, a guardian of the library.

When you’re a kaitiaki or a guardian, you take care of things that are important, so that others can enjoy them too. Let Rangi the ruru guide you through fun activities and events to help you become the best library kaitiaki. 

  • Get a limited edition Kaitiaki Library Card

  • Sign-up for the Kaitiaki Quest, and be in to win a prize

  • Learn something new at a kaitiaki themed workshop

  • Relax with a kaitiaki activity page at your local library

Come along and bring your whaanau! All ages are welcome. 

Nau mai haere mai ki Te Ohomauri o Kirikiriroa. 

Welcome to Hamilton City Libraries. 

 

WHAKANUIA!

Celebrate Kaitiakitanga at a featured event

Be entertained, do cool stuff and learn all about the amazing things that the libraries offer. You might even score yourself a prize! It’s going to be lots of fun, and we’d love to see you.

Whaanau Fun Day

WHAIA TE MAATAURANGA

Register for a kaitiaki workshop

The team at Hamilton Libraries have developed an exciting line up of workshops to inspire your learning journey. Explore maatauranga Maaori or have fun with arts and crafts. Theres something for everyone. 

WHAOWHIA TE KETE MAATAURANGA 

Fill your basket with knowledge at a kaitiaki workshop.

Taonga Puoro: Maaori Musical Instruments

In this three-week course, you will learn all about taonga puoro, from the meaning and significance to how to play them and even how to craft your own from clay and 3D printing.

📅Saturday 14, 21 and 28 March
📍Te Kete Aronui - Rototuna Library
For adults and teens 14+

Register for Taonga Puoro Workshops

E Kore Au E Ngaro - Researching Whakapapa Event

At this session we will develop tangible skills to aid your journey in researching your own whakapapa. We'll be providing an array of practical resources along with guidance and support for how to use them.

📅Saturday 11 April
📍Central Library - Te Koopuu Maania o Kirikiriroa
For adults

Register for E Kore Au E Ngaro

Mindful Aotearoa - Kia Tau Te Wairua

Join one of our healing mindful sessions, bringing together ancient wisdom from the East and Maatauranga Maaori. We will begin with karakia and blend breathwork with sound healing to help you reconnect, release stress and recharge your mind and body.

📅Sunday 12, 19 and 26 April
📍Te Kete Aronui - Rototuna Library
For adults and teens 14+

Register for Mindful Aotearoa session

Kaitiaki Art Classes

Celebrate Kaitiakitanga and learn the basics of acrylic painting by joining one of our free Kaitiaki Art Classes. All materials are provided. Absolute beginners welcome!

📅Thursday 16 April (school holidays)
📍Te Kete Aronui - Rototuna Library
Morning session for adults and teens
Afternoon session for tamariki aged 10-13

Register for a Kaitiaki Art Class

Ki o Rahi

Dive into one of Aotearoa’s most exciting traditional Maaori sports. Whether you’re sporty or just curious, this session will teach you the story behind the game and the skills to play it confidently.

📅Saturday 11 and 18 April (school holidays)
📍Te Kete Aronui - Rototuna Library
For adults and teens 14+

Register for Ki o Rahi

Kaitiaki of Waters - Board Game Sessions

In this exciting and interactive board game your mission is to work together and make smart choices to keep the waterways clean and healthy.

📅Thursday 16 and 23 April
📍Central Library - Te Koopuu Maania o Kirikiriroa
For adults and tamariki 10+

Register for Kaitiaki of Waters

Macrame

Celebrate Kaitiakitanga and learn how to make a macrame leaf wall decoration or a macrame keychain. All materials are provided.

📅Wednesday 8 April (school holidays)
📍Te Kete Aronui - Rototuna Library
For tamariki 9+

Register for Macrame Workshop

Story Telling with Stop Motion

From simple cutout animation to Claymation, learn essential skills these school holidays to produce a great stop motion project of your own!

📅Tuesday 7 and 14 April (school holidays)
📍Central Library - Te Koopuu Maania o Kirikiriroa
For tamariki 8-12

Register for Stop Motion Course

Hanga Peeke - Make a Bookbag

Create your own library book bag using upcycled t-shirts. No sewing skills are required, and all materials are provided. Just stop by anytime between 10:30 and 12 to craft your personal bag.

📅Friday 17 April (school holidays)
📍Hillcrest Library at Hamilton Gardens
For tamariki 7+

See Hanga Peeke details

Whakapaipai Peeke - Book Bag Painting

Get creative using one of our library tote bags, free only for these workshops! Paint our Ruru Kaitiakitanga mascot with fabric paints to be uniquely yours and exactly how you want.

📅Friday 10 and Wednesday 15 April (school holidays)
📍St Andrews Library - Waiwherowhero
📍Glenview Library - Mangakootukutuku
For tamariki 5-12

Register for a Book bag Painting Workshop

Kaitiaki Papercraft

Come along to one of our free Kaitiaki Papercraft workshops and make a New Zealand bush 3D model. All materials are provided.

📅Monday 13 April (school holidays)
📍Chartwell Library - Kukutaaruhe
For tamariki 6-12

Register for a Papercraft Workshop

Hanga-Ruru - Owl Activities

The ruru (owl) is an important kaitiaki (guardian) in Maaori tradition. Come and make your own ruru at one of our drop-in sessions!

📅Thursday 9 April (school holidays)
📍Hillcrest Library at Hamilton Gardens
📍Dinsdale Library - Te Tiwha o Pareiiriwhare
For tamariki 5+

See Hanga-Ruru details

KAITIAKI QUEST
KUA TAKOTO TE MANUKA 

The challenge has been laid.

Register today and join Rangi the ruru on his Kaitiaki Quest. Receive your limited edition Kaitiaki Bookmark and become the best library kaitiaki, guardian of the library. Complete three simple kaitiaki tasks and be in to win a prize. 

  1. Use a bookmark

  2. Use a bookbag

  3. Return your library books on time

Tuuwhitia te hopoMairangitia te angituu! 

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

DOWNLOAD CENTRE 
TIKIAKE MAI 

Download your favourite kaitiaki activity sheet here! 

Do you need another colouring or activity page? Don't worry—ask a parent to help you print these from the Download Centre. Spare printed copies will also be available from your local library. 

He kai kei aku ringa. 

Self-sufficiency and diligent effort lead to success.