We’re delighted to be celebrating 150 years of library services, with Te Whare Pukapuka o Tāhuna | Queenstown Library celebrating in 2026 and Te Whare Pukapuka o Wānaka | Wānaka Library in 2027.
To kick off the sesquicentennial celebrations, Te Whare Pukapuka o Tāhuna | Queenstown Library will be hosting a special community celebration, and we’d love for you to join us.
Date: Saturday, 28 November 2026
Time: 10am–2pm
Venue: Te Whare Pukapuka o Tāhuna | Queenstown Library, 10 Gorge Road
Come along to celebrate this special day, discover more about our local library history, and enjoy a day of activities for all ages, including arts and crafts, balloon animals, book sale, cake, face painting, food vendors, games, gold panning, local history, magic shows, time travel photobooth, storytime and more!
Dressing up is encouraged!
Come as your favourite book character or wear a historic costume and join us in celebrating the people, stories and history that have been part of our libraries over the past 150 years.
Queenstown's library story dates back to 1876.
The Atheneum was one of Queenstown’s early stone buildings of the goldrush age. Due to a shortage of council finances, the Old Stone Library, as it soon became known, was abutted to the newly constructed Courthouse. After 95 years, district growth and ongoing maintenance needs led the Queenstown Borough Council to decide to demolish the building. While there was no dispute that it was cold, damp and no longer fit for purpose, this did not stop a lively and often fractious battle for its preservation, led by the Queenstown Historical Society from 1965 to 1971.
After years of public protest and nationwide newspaper support, a referendum was held. The overwhelming result was 175 for destruction and 343 for preservation. The building would remain. Plans for a new library that retained the old building were soon put into effect. In 1971, the Malaghan Library opened to great community fanfare and delight; there was even a Civic Ball to celebrate.
As with the two previous libraries, the rapid growth of the Queenstown district created the need for larger premises. After 28 years, the Malaghan Library had outgrown itself. The third incarnation of Queenstown Library is now situated in what was formerly the underground carpark of the Queenstown RSA building. Following considerable refurbishment, the new library opened in 1999 and still serves the community today in 2026.
Today, Te Whare Pukapuka o Tāhuna | Queenstown Library continues to be a place for the community to read, learn, create, connect and share, carrying forward a library tradition that has been part of the Queenstown community for 150 years.
