Rotorua Library

🌳 Need help with your family history research?

Whether you're just starting out or trying to break through a genealogy brick wall, the Rotorua Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists will be at Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri tomorrow for another of their popular Family History Month drop-in sessions.

📅 Tomorrow
🕙 10am–2pm (extended hours during August Family History Month)
📍 Second Floor, Rotorua Library | Te Aka Mauri
🎟️ Free

🔍 Looking ahead? Join us for the Second-Floor Showcase on:

📅 Wednesday 19 August
🕔 5pm–7pm
📍 Rotorua Library | Te Aka Mauri
🎟️ Free, no bookings required

Explore the extensive genealogy resources and heritage collections available at Rotorua Library Te Aka Mauri through this guided showcase, presented in partnership with the Rotorua Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists.

👉 Discover what stories are waiting to be found.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for our Legal Education – Māori Land (Succession & Whānau Trusts) session. 💙

It was great to see our community come together, ask questions, and learn more about important legal matters.

Our Legal Education series continues with our next free session: Wills & Enduring Powers of Attorney.

Join Community Law to learn how these important documents can help protect your wishes and support your loved ones.

📍 Rotorua Library
📅 1o September 2026
⏰ 10am - 12noon
Free and open to everyone. Registration is required:👇
https://events.humanitix.com/legal-education-wills-and-enduring-powers-of-attorney-98p6d4d3/tickets

Thinking about studying, but need something that fits around your life? 📚

Jo from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology will be at Rotorua Library for a free part-time study information session.

Whether you’re returning to study after a break, balancing work or family commitments, or simply exploring your options, this is a chance to find out what’s available and ask questions in a relaxed, supportive environment.

📍 Rotorua Library
📅 20 August 2026
⏰ 10.30am - 11.30am

🎟 Book your place: https://events.humanitix.com/part-time-study-information-session-with-toi-ohomai/tickets

🎭 - This year, ROTORUA LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY celebrates 75 years of bringing live theatre to our community. Discover the story of the society's early days in our latest feature on Pakiaka.

Read the story here 👉 https://pakiaka.rotorualibrary.govt.nz/nodes/view/9615

Then dive deeper into the wider Rotorua Little Theatre collection on Pakiaka, featuring historic programmes, posters, and production stills.

📍 You can also explore the story on the touchscreen on the Second Floor at Rotorua Library.

🌳 Need help with your family history research?

The Rotorua Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists is offering extended genealogy drop-in sessions every Wednesday during August Family History Month.

📅 Every Wednesday in August 🕙 10am–2pm 📍 Second Floor, Rotorua Library | Te Aka Mauri 🎟️ Free

Bring your questions, photographs, and research notes and see where your family history journey leads.

📚 Thank you for a fantastic Family History Day!

A big thank you to everyone who joined us at Family History Day today and helped make it such a successful morning. It was wonderful to see so many people exploring their whakapapa, sharing stories, asking questions, and discovering new avenues for family history research.

Special thanks to the organisations that generously shared their knowledge and expertise:
🌱 Compassionate Communities Rotorua - Te Atawhai Aroha
⚰️ Kiwi Coffin Club Charitable Trust
🪖National Army Museum, Waiouru New Zealand
🌳 Rotorua Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists
📖 Rotorua Lakes Council Records Team
🏛️ Rotorua Museum

🔎 Family History Month continues!

📅 Every Wednesday in August | 🕙 10am-2pm
🌳 Genealogy Drop-in Sessions with the Rotorua Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists

📅 Wednesday 19 August | 🕔 5pm-7pm
📚 Second-Floor Showcase
Explore the extensive genealogy resources and heritage collections available at Rotorua Library Te Aka Mauri through this guided showcase, presented in partnership with the Rotorua Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists.

🎉 Family History Day is happening now!

The doors are open and we're ready to welcome you to Family History Day at Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri.

Whether you're tracing an ancestor's military service, discovering stories behind Rotorua's memorials, or simply curious about where to begin, there's plenty to inspire your family history journey.

Come and chat with:
🌱 Te Atawhai Aroha
⚰️ Kiwi Coffin Club Charitable Trust
🪖 National Army Museum Te Mata Toa
🌳 Rotorua Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists
📖 Rotorua Lakes Council Archives
🏛️ Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa

There is also a fun craft activity for the whānau, so bring the tamariki along too!

📅 Today
⏰ 10am–12pm
📍 Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri
🎟️ Free, no bookings required

👉 Drop in, say hello, and discover the stories waiting to be found.

📜 Every family has a story waiting to be discovered. Family History Day is TOMORROW!

Join us at Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri and explore the people, places, memories, and records that help connect us to our past.
Meet local organisations ready to help you uncover, preserve, and share the stories that matter:
🌱Compassionate Communities Rotorua - Te Atawhai Aroha
⚰️Kiwi Coffin Club Charitable Trust
🪖 National Army Museum, Waiouru New Zealand
🌳 Rotorua Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists
📖 Rotorua Lakes Council Records Team
🏛️ Rotorua Museum

Whether you're tracing your whakapapa, researching an ancestor, exploring local history, or simply curious about where to begin, there's something for everyone.

📅 Saturday 1 August
⏰ 10am–12pm
📍 Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri
🎟️ Free, no bookings required

👉 Bring your questions, your curiosity, and maybe even a few family photos – and discover what stories you might uncover.

🚂 - The railway overbridge on Lake Road was built in 1937-1938 and opened for traffic in December 1938.

This image shows the railway overbridge being demolished in 2012, photographed by Faeryl Rotherham while documenting the four-laning of Lake Road.

🤔 Who remembers when trains used to come into Rotorua through Lake Road? We'd love to hear your stories of 'how it was'.

📸 Image commissioned for Kete Rotorua by library staff.

Honour family stories. Treasure memories. Celebrate legacies. Family History Day is this Saturday! ⏰

Connect with local organisations who are ready to help you uncover, preserve, and share the stories that matter:
🌱 Te Atawhai Aroha
⚰️ Kiwi Coffin Club Charitable Trust
🪖 National Army Museum Te Mata Toa
🌳 Rotorua Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists
📖 Rotorua Lakes Council Records Team
🏛️ Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa

Whether you're just starting out or already deep into your family history research, there's something to discover.

📅 Saturday 1 August
⏰ 10am–12pm
📍 Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri
🎟️ Free, no bookings required

👉 Bring your questions, your curiosity, and maybe even a few family photos - and see where your family history journey takes you.

Family History Month - Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri Family History Month Share Print Family History Month - August 2026A month-long programme celebrating the lives, stories, and legacies of those who have passed: A special Family History Day with local heritage organisations and The National Army Museum.Weekly genealogy drop-in sessions.A guided show...