Recommended Websites

These websites are highly recommended as general reference sites. You will find hundreds more subject-specific sites linked from the web guides in the Hands-on history section.

Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand Visit

Te Ara, the award-winning online encyclopedia of New Zealand, will be a comprehensive guide to this country's natural environment, history, culture and development. The first of 10 themes, on all the peoples who have made New Zealand their home, is now online, and the second, on shaping forces such as climate and geology, is coming soon. A 'Places' section currently features entries on Northland, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu/Horowhenua and Canterbury. Also the 1966 Encyclopaedia of New Zealand has been digitised and made available through Te Ara. This site run by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Dictionary of New Zealand Biography Visit

The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography contains the life stories of over 3000 New Zealanders. It includes images and sound files and a general history section, Our land our people.This site run by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Anzac Day – a guide for New Zealanders Visit

Launched by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage in April 2005 to mark the 90th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, this website includes information on the significance of Anzac Day, how we commemorate it today and a virtual guide of the Gallipoli Peninsula. It also includes searchable records of all New Zealanders who died at Gallipoli.

Christchurch City Libraries Visit

While strongest on Christchurch topics, the site also contains a handy range of factsheets on various aspects of New Zealand history.