A selection of standard reference tools for research on New Zealand history topics:
Bateman New Zealand encyclopedia
“Essential reference book for all New Zealanders“
Key facts and information on all aspects of New Zealand history, society and culture. Note the useful selected chronology of New Zealand history at the front of the book. Also available in an illustrated edition:
The illustrated encyclopedia of New Zealand.
Bateman New Zealand historical atlas/Ko Papatuanuku e takoto nei edited by M McKinnon
A comprehensive atlas of New Zealand's historical development featuring maps, photographs, tables, charts, diagrams and more. The atlas covers key developments in the nation's history: early Polynesian migrations; colonial settlement; the Dominion; the World Wars and contemporary social and economic growth.
Encyclopaedia of New Zealand edited by A H McLintock
The standard 3 volume reference work published in 1966. The complete original text of this encyclopaedia is now available online in Te Ara: the encyclopedia of New Zealand.
New Zealand Dictionary of Biography
This standard New Zealand research tool is published in 5 volumes and covers the years 1769-1960. The biography is post-humous only - the resource does not include people alive today. Use the Categories Index at the back of each volume to search for lists of entries on particular topics e.g: Politicians
There are also separate collected volumes of Maori biographies: Nga tangata taumata rau/Maori biographies from the DNZB 1769-1960. The useful indexes at the back of each volume allow the user to search for entries by tribal affiliation, hapu or name.
The New Zealand Dictionary of Biography is also available online in both English and Te Reo.
New Zealand Official Yearbook
This essential reference tool is produced by Statistics New Zealand/Te Tari Tatau and presents key statistics, facts and figures about all aspects of New Zealand society. Auckland City Libraries has holdings from 1893 to the present.
The Zealand Official Yearbook is also available online.
New Zealand who's who Aotearoa
The key standard research tool focusing on contemporary New Zealand biographies. As well as the alphabetical listings of individual entries, the book contains many useful lists of well known New Zealanders (e.g: Prime Ministers/Olympic Gold Medallists).
Te Ara: the encyclopedia of New Zealand
This online encyclopedia of New Zealand provides “a journey of discovery“ through interlinking text and image trails. | 
