Thousands of people lined up on Saturday as Wellington Central Library, Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, reopened after being closed for seven years. The library shut in March 2019 because of earthquake risks and has now returned after a $217 million rebuild. Wellington Mayor Andrew Little officially reopened the building and said it was a special moment for the city. He explained that the project lasted through several different mayoralties before finally being completed.
The reopening also marked an important step for Civic Square, which has been closed for work since the start of 2025. Most of the square is now open again, giving people a place to meet, relax and take part in events. More nearby buildings are expected to reopen within the next year, including the city art gallery and the town hall.
Library manager Jennifer Parker said staff were thrilled to welcome people back after so much preparation. She said the team had carefully updated the book collection so it would suit what readers want today. Inside the building, visitors found choirs singing on different floors, colourful characters hidden among the shelves and around 250,000 books ready to borrow. There were also new creative and community spaces for people to enjoy.
Many visitors said the new library felt exciting and welcoming. Former library worker Jane Shallcrass said it was wonderful to see the joy on people’s faces as they entered. A student from Wellington College said he planned to come back to study and borrow books. Families were already choosing stacks of books from the children’s section, and nearby businesses said the reopening was bringing fresh energy into the city centre.
