Let’s make more use of public libraries in New Zealand! (The Auckland Libraries case)
Public libraries in New Zealand are also very well resourced, well maintained, and really useful facilities.
With that said, here are the points that make me go, “This is honestly so worth it!”—based on my own experience.
Auckland Libraries website: https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/
Reason #1: They have books in many languages!
This is probably something many migrant people living in New Zealand for study or work will care about.
For example, me as Japanese, these days you can watch Japanese news and TV and find Japanese content endlessly on YouTube and online—but still, don’t you sometimes just want to read a book in Japanese? And sometimes you want that feeling of having a real book in your hands and carrying it around. But getting Japanese books shipped over is a hassle, and sometimes you just want to enjoy reading without spending money.
I think there are definitely times when you start missing Japanese books. And actually, Auckland Libraries have a pretty large number of Japanese books.
For example, right now (April 2026), if you search with the keyword “Recipe” and filter by “Japanese,” you get 35 hits. A few examples:
- Rice Flour Recipes: Healthy & Chewy Delicious — Kyoko Tateno
- All Microwaved! Make-Ahead Side Dishes That Help You Lose Weight: Time-Saving, No Hassle, No Fail — Eiko Yanagisawa
…And if you search “Novel” with the “Japanese” filter, you get around ~1200 hits. So when searching, selecting Japanese as the language filter makes it much easier to find Japanese books. There’s a wide range—from classics to fairly recent titles—so I highly recommend it. The genres are surprisingly broad too, so if you’re curious, try looking it up online.
Same is true for many other languages - Chinese, Korean, German, Russian... they have 48 languages in the "language filter"! So the chances are that many immigrant will find something in their mother tongue, as useful reseources.
Reason #2: It’s basically free—and surprisingly well stocked
Honestly, this might be the most important point.
If you live in Auckland, you can become a member and get a library card. The general process is: bring proof of address (something that can be used as address verification) and an ID, and get the card issued.
The collection is really extensive. Besides Japanese books, there are English-learning books for learners, lots of cookbooks, travel books, the latest novels, magazines… it’s very well stocked, so I definitely recommend it.
Reason #3: You can request items online and pick them up at your nearest branch
Even though it’s “Auckland Libraries,” all the different branches across Auckland (including smaller local branches) are connected.
So when you search for a book and think, “It exists, but it’s not at my nearest library—it’s at a branch in another area,” you can still get it. For example, if the book you want is at a library on the North Shore, you can request a pickup so it gets sent to your nearest library in East Auckland.
When the book arrives at your local library, you’ll get an email notification, and you can follow the instructions, go to the library, and pick it up using your library card. This request (“Hold”) → pickup system is officially supported, and it sounds like the pickup process has been updated recently too. Using this service means you can access books across all Auckland libraries and pick them up locally, which is incredibly convenient.
Reason #4: The eBooks are great
These days it’s not just physical books—eBooks (online books) are also really well supported.
With Auckland Libraries, you can use the OverDrive system to read many titles as eBooks in addition to print books. This is perfect if you prefer reading on a computer, or if you find it annoying to go pick up physical books or carry them around—you can borrow and read online.
The borrowing flow is: search for a title in the Auckland Libraries online catalogue, choose the eBook option, and click “Borrow.” Like with a normal library, there are basic rules—limits on how many you can borrow at once, and you need to return them within the loan period. Once the due date passes, you can’t read it anymore. So it’s basically the same “borrow and return” feeling as physical books.
On a computer you can enlarge the text, and the reading experience feels quite close to reading a real book (like turning pages).
Reason #5: Audiobooks are also super handy (I’m into them lately)
eBooks are great, but audiobooks (listening to narrated books) are also pretty well available. Personally, I’ve been really into audiobooks lately.
Audiobooks are also available through the library’s partnership with OverDrive or the Libby app, and just like eBooks, you search the catalogue and borrow them.
The best part is that you can listen on your phone using an app. During your commute—on the train, bus, or while driving—instead of radio or music, if you play an audiobook from Libby, you can keep learning, keep absorbing knowledge, and make commuting more enjoyable.
In the Libby app, you can also change playback speed. I often listen at around 1.25x—a little faster than normal. Also, for some books, the author themselves narrates the audiobook, and I think hearing the writer’s own voice is another fun point of audiobooks.
Reason #6: For popular books, you can “Hold” (reserve) and wait your turn
Because there are limited copies, popular books can be checked out quickly and sometimes you can’t borrow them right away.
But you can place a Hold (reservation) online through Auckland Libraries. With Holds, you join a waiting list, and you can also see your place in the queue online.
When it’s your turn, you can borrow it online if it’s an eBook or audiobook. If it’s a physical book, you can pick it up at your nearest library. You’ll get an email notification, so it’s easy to check periodically—and when you find something that looks interesting, putting it on hold is totally an option. Popular books can take longer on hold, but if you use the system well, eventually your turn comes around.
Summary: Because books are expensive in New Zealand, libraries are a lifesaver
After moving to New Zealand and [CHECK] once some time passes, I think many people start missing Japanese books. And even if your English improves and you can read English books and listen in English, you may still realize: “Books are expensive!”
In Japan, you can often buy a paperback for around up to 1,000 yen, but in New Zealand, even a paperback can be around $30, and a properly bound edition can be $50–$100—so one book can feel quite pricey.
That’s exactly why I really recommend Auckland Libraries if you want to read popular or recent English books without spending a fortune. And as I mentioned above, I’m personally really hooked on audiobooks (hands-free listening from your phone), so I hope you’ll give it a try too.
