Atlases
World atlases and street maps
A wide selection of atlases and street maps are available at the Central City Library and the community libraries. As well as general world atlases, specialist atlases and street maps are also available which cover particular countries and cities.
Most of the atlases and street maps are only for use in the library. However, a selection are available for loan and can be found in the general non-fiction sections of all Auckland City Libraries.
New Zealand atlases and street maps
A broad range of up to date New Zealand atlases and street maps are available from the Central City Library and community libraries.
The main collection is located on the first floor of the Central City Library, next to the map cabinets.
Maps
The Auckland City Libraries have a large selection of maps. The collection includes hydrographic charts, topographic maps and a stunning selection of rare and historic maps available in the Sir George Grey Special Collections.
Library map collections
The maps in these collections are reference only items.
Travel maps
The Central Library has an up-to date collection of current international travel maps. The travel maps collection is located on the first floor, Central Library.
Topographic maps
These maps provide unique detailed coverage of New Zealand on a 1: 50,000 scale. Extensive physical details include terrain and contour lines. The focus of the collection is the New Zealand Map Series 260, produced by Terralink on behalf of Land Information New Zealand.
An online index is available through Land Information New Zealand. The topographic map collection is located on the first floor, Central City Library.
Hydrographic maps (Navy charts)
These maps chart marine areas of New Zealand and selected Pacific Islands. Please note that they are for general interest only and should not be used for navigation purposes.
The Hydrographic map collection is located on the first floor, Central Library. Selected earlier editions are available in the Sir George Grey Special Collections, second floor, Central Library.
Historic Maori maps
Maori maps on selected topics are available in Te Kohinga Matua, located at the Auckland Research Centre on the second floor, Central City Library.
Special Collections
The library has an extensive collection of historic and rare maps and atlases located in the Sir George Grey Special Collections. Collection highlights include maps of historic Auckland, the First World War and a 1959 version of Ortelius’
Epitome Theatrum Orbis, generally acknowledged as the first true atlas.
Many of the Sir George Grey Special Collections maps are not on the library catalogue, though we have digitised a selection that you can access through the
Digital Library.
The Sir Geoge Grey Special Collections is located on the second floor, Central City Library.
Nineteenth Century Ordnance Maps
The Auckland Research Centre has a comprehensive facsimile collection of Nineteenth Century ordnance survey maps of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Scale is mostly 1 inch: 1 mile.
The Auckland Research Centre is located on the second floor, Central Library.
