The Whangamatā Community Archive Collection offers a comprehensive range of historical materials that capture the essence of the Whangamatā rohe | area. It was transferred to our care in 2022 by the Whangamatā Community Library in about 40 boxes.
The Whangamatā Community Archive collection includes photographs, objects, survey and building plans, audio recordings, books, mining research, thesis, meeting minutes, maps, diaries, newspapers, booklets, correspondence, and more. This large and varied collection spans three decades (circa 1950s to 1980s).
It provides insights into various aspects of the community's past, such as the archaeological investigation of the Whangamatā Cabana Lodge Motel excavation, Māori settlement traces, cemetery burial records, historical newspapers, records of local groups, building plans and photographs of significant locations, and the development of community facilities like the Whangamatā Memorial Hall and the Public Relations Office and Information Centre.
Additionally, the collection features poetic writings by William Taylor, Tony Chapman, and John Carr. It also documents the region's mining history through environmental impact and mining audit reports. Overall, the collection highlights the contributions of numerous community groups in shaping Whangamatā into the town it is today.
View the collection here.