Library
Explore with us
Explore the maritime history of Aotearoa New Zealand through our collection of archives, books and magazines at the Bill Laxon Maritime Library.
The library collection covers areas of navigation, vessels, commercial shipping, migration, yachting, maritime crafts and port and harbour history, including the Auckland Harbour Board archives.
Library FAQs
- Email danielle@maritimemuseum.co.nz
-
The library is closed until October 2024 as the librarian is currently assisting with the move of our offsite collection to an improved collection storage facility, to better care for the collection in the long term. We apologise for any inconvenience.
An entry fee of $10.00 is payable at the Museum's front of house for all research visits. If you would like to access the library's collections for research, you can visit the library on Thursday 10am-4pm, or by appointment Monday - Wednesday.
Making a Research Request
The librarian may be able to assist with simple research enquiries, but is currently unable to help with any detailed research. Please get in touch via our contact form, selecting 'Library' as your related enquiry.
Please allow up to three working days for an initial response. Research fees may apply after the initial 15 mins of library staff support.
- Per page (A4/A3 b&w) 20 cents
- Per page (A4/A3 colour) 40 cents
- Digital image file $10.00 per image
- Half hour charge for library staff copying /scanning of multiple documents $30.00
- Digital plan file Price on enquiry
The librarian is not able to provide reproductions of images until the library reopens in October 2024. Our apologies for any inconvenience.
While the library does not hold passenger or crew lists, additional resources in the collection may include:
- Photographs of some passenger ships
- Selected ephemera such as deck plans, accommodation plans or menus
- A small number of shipboard diaries and logs
Other useful resources
- Search passenger lists 1839-1973 (Archives New Zealand)
- Papers Past New Zealand newspaper search
The Bill Laxon Maritime Library is a reference only library and no items are available for loan. Prints, copies and scans can be made for a small fee where copyright alows.
Our library is located inside the New Zealand Maritime Museum on Level 2.
Take the lift to the second level and turn left.
Bill Laxon
Bill Laxon was a founding member of the Auckland Maritime Society that developed the proposal for the New Zealand Maritime Museum. The Bill Laxon Maritime Library houses his extensive archives including his collection of over 200,000 index cards featuring images and key facts about a range of vessels.