Tūranga – a place for people

Margaret Mahy’s house at Governor’s Bay wasn’t able to be saved as a writers’ centre, but it is heartening to see that her extensive collection of children’s literature is safe at Tūranga, our central library. It is on the second level which houses New Zealand reference collections and Pasifika and Māori collections, archives and research facilities. It is next to a small exhibition space.

I noticed a little house on the stairs and found more in the Sanctuary exhibition featuring work by young artists exploring ‘the power of creativity for wellbeing, set within a cosy living room space’.

On the fourth level there is an exhibition organised by the Ardour Charitable Trust one of the aims of which is to “strengthen the multiple ethnic groups’ ties with local communities”. It is “managed and operated by a team of four Asian mothers” according to the information board.

Perhaps because of the Bird of the Century competition, there are bird shapes on the ends of some shelves which fit with the bird mural.

Tūranga is a vibrant and interesting place with something to see on every level, in every sense. Creatively curated collections of books catch the eye at the top of stairs and in corners. As I went down the stairs I saw below, on the ground floor, large tables for people playing board games and doing jigsaws, and a colourful selection of knitting yarn, crochet hooks and knitting needles there to use. There is a diverse range of people using the library and it is humming with activity. For me, Tūranga is the heart of the city.