Oral History and Sound
A collection of more than 10,000 recordings recorded since the 1960s. The Oral History and Sound collection is part of the Alexander Turnbull Library.
Recordings from New Zealand and the Pacific
There are more than 10,000 recordings in the collection. Recordings include interviews with people from throughout New Zealand and the Pacific, of various ethnicities, iwi (tribe) and hapū (sub-tribe), occupations, political affiliations and interests. Talks, readings and events are also covered.
Most of the collection has been recorded since the 1960s. The collection covers New Zealand society, culture, community, and political history from the late 19th century to the present.
Interviews usually have accompanying documentation, including an abstract – a detailed time-coded index providing quick access to the contents of the recording. A few interviews are fully or partially transcribed. Photographs and other relevant material are sometimes included.
There are Māori oral history projects and recordings of talks, lectures and other events in te reo Māori.
If you'd like to donate any material to the collection, contact the Curator, Oral History and Sound.
Get advice, training, and funding to help you do oral history
The Oral History and Sound collection is part of the Alexander Turnbull Library.
Access items in this collection
You can find out what oral history interviews we have in our collection by searching the Alexander Turnbull Library catalogue (Tiaki). If you find an interview that you want to listen to, the best way to organise this is to contact the Research Librarian, Oral History through the Ask a Librarian service.
Alexander Turnbull Library catalogue (Tiaki)
Ask a librarian
Borrow items in this collection
You can get Oral History interviews and recordings by asking an approved library to interloan them from us, subject to conditions such as interview restrictions. Contact the Research Librarian oral history to discuss your request before putting it in to your local library.
Get copies of items in this collection
You can order extracts from some interviews and other audio and video recordings for use in exhibitions, websites, broadcasts and lectures. Contact us to discuss your requirements, and permission procedures.
Interviews and other recordings may not be copied in full for private research. Notes may be taken while listening or viewing. If you wish to transcribe material from an interview, discuss this with staff first.
More about making copies
More about copyright and privacy
Contact our oral history specialists
We can answer your enquiries in person or by email, letter or phone.
The Oral History Advisor can assist with oral history training, advice, and support.
The Research Librarian, Oral History, is available to help researchers with access to the collections.
The Curator, Oral History and Sound, develops, cares for, and manages our oral history and unpublished sound collections. An appointment is required.
Curator, Oral History and Sound
Phone — 04 462 3972
Research Librarian, Oral History
Phone — 04 462 0318
Oral History Adviser (Equipment hire, training, and advice)
Phone — 04 462 3977
Fax — 04 474 3063
Alexander Turnbull Library
PO Box 12349
Wellington 6144
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Offer material to the Alexander Turnbull Library
Find out about the process for offering material to the Alexander Turnbull Library. We cannot accept all items offered to us, although we appreciate the generosity of potential donors. Get in touch if you would like to discuss offering us material.
Oral history advice
Whether you are starting out with oral history or want to hone your skills further, we can help with advice, workshops, and equipment.