New Zealand Music, Sound, Audio-visual collection

As of 2016, the New Zealand Music, Sound & Audio-visual Collection includes approximately: 

• 31,000 music recordings
• 7,000 scores and sheet music items
• 4,500 videos and DVDs.

The Collection forms part of the New Zealand and Pacific Collection of the Alexander Turnbull Library. New items are added through legal deposit, purchase and donation.

Unpublished recordings, scores and papers are held in the Archive of New Zealand Music.

Unpublished oral histories are held in the Alexander Turnbull Library’s Oral History Collection.

Access the New Zealand Music, Sound & Audio-visual Collection

You can find collection items using the National Library Catalogue. You can order items from anywhere, and access them in the Katherine Mansfield Reading Room at the National Library in Wellington. Some digitised items are available to view online.

Get copies from items in this collection

You can get copies of items in this collection if copyright allows. You can write a letter, phone or email to order audio-visual copies and photocopies of scores.

More about making copies

More about copyright

Highlights of the New Zealand Music, Sound, Audio-visual Collection

Music recordings

In the Collection you will find a vast array of music recordings made in New Zealand from the 1920s through to the present, together with overseas recordings made by New Zealanders. All music genres and styles are represented. Audio media range from shellac discs through to CDs and digital files. The Collection includes:

• Early 78 rpm discs by New Zealand artists
• TANZA, Kiwi, Viking, Flying Nun, Ode, Rattle and other local labels
• Overseas pressings, promos, limited editions and rarities

We hold an extensive range of printed music. Publications range from sheet music of popular songs and piano music, through to orchestral and chamber music scores. The Collection includes:

• A copy of the first New Zealand edition of God Defend New Zealand (ca 1879)
• Patriotic sheet music, including nearly 150 digitised examples from World War I
• Begg’s, Wai-te-ata Music Press, Price Milburn Music and other publishers

We also hold published radio documentaries, historical recordings and talking books. Highlights include:

• Wax cylinder of My South Polar Expedition (ca 1909) by Ernest Shackleton
• Over 400 Replay Radio documentaries and feature programmes
• Audiobooks of works by New Zealand writers

Videos and DVDs

We have a comprehensive collection of videos and DVDs relating to New Zealand and the Pacific. Some older formats have been digitised and can be accessed from our reading room.

Highlights include:

• Local histories and documentaries
• Films relating to Māori and Pacific culture
• Performing and visual arts and artists.