Upper Hutt Libraries

And that's the first week of the school holidays almost done and dusted already! It has been a super busy week here, especially for our Giant Jigsaw in the children's area at Central Library. 🧩

We've lost count of how many times the picture has been completed by families and whānau. It's great to see everyone so keen on finding all the pieces and slowly revealing the final artwork. 😊

Haven't had your turn yet? There's plenty of time left to get amongst the fun 👇
https://www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz/events/giant-jigsaw

This Throwback Thursday, we're looking back to a beautiful kākahu (cloak). It was made in recognition of Charles Tohara Mohi (Ngāti Kahungunu), who had asked for the cloak to be made, but sadly passed a few months later in November 1998.

This kākahu was completed in late 1999 by Nannie Kahumanu (on left) who ran the Ōrongomai weaving house. The kākahu was made from 10,800 feathers on a flax fibre backing. 🪶

From left to right are: Charles' youngest son, Paratene Mohi; his granddaughter, Wairakau Mohi; and her father Te Rehunga Mohi, Charles' oldest son.

Nannie was a volunteer at the library, and it was decided that the kākahu would be put on display so library staff (who had heard about it while it was being made) and visitors could see it completed. 🤗

Find out more about this stunning piece of remembrance 👇
https://uhcl.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/17825

Time for another dive into our mighty Digital Library! 📱 💻

Bridget Williams Books (BWB) is your ticket to award-winning content on Aotearoa New Zealand's history and current issues. Just a click or tap away, you can read biographies, thought-provoking social commentary, te ao Māori perspectives, and much more – and learn about the people, places, and stories that shape our home.

Keen to learn something new? Ready for a fresh take? Looking for some input into your studies or research? We bet there's a BWB title waiting for you! 😊

Browse the full collection anytime online 👇
https://www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz/digital-library/adults/bridget-williams

Boom! Crackle! Bang! Have we got your attention? 😉

We're stoked to have staff from Earth Sciences New Zealand joining us this week, rocking out (quite literally – pardon the geology pun) at Central Library with a fun dive into all things volcanoes, fossils, rocks, and more. 🌋

Got a young science fan at home? Bring them along to learn all about the rocks beneath us and the natural hazards that affect us.

🗓️ Thursday, 1 October 2026
🕑 2.00-3.00pm
📍 Central Library

See what else is on during the school holidays 👇
https://www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz/whats-on/children

A little look behind the scenes, showing you (some of) the amazing handmade items that have been dropped off for Operation Wrapped in Remembrance. 🧣

There are soft scarves, squishy blankets, cosy hats, blankets, quilts... We can't thank you all enough for your generosity in supporting this wonderful nationwide initiative with bags and bags of crafted goodies! 🥰

🗓️ Last day for drop-offs: Wednesday, 30 September 2026

Love knitting and crochet? Join us at Crafting Threads of Aroha, our monthly community crafting meet-up 👇
https://www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz/events/crafting-threads-of-aroha

Who got some sparkly frost in their backyard this morning? 🙋

Here we have the spring sun peeking through one of our magnolia trees behind Central Library. Do you know the spot? 🔍

No matter the weather, both Central and Pinehaven Library have their doors wide open for you. The shelves are stocked. The newspapers are ready. Stay a little or stay a little longer... We'd love to see you!

Check our opening hours anytime online 👇
https://www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz/contact/opening-hours

Who wore the spring blue better: that stunning sky or our U-PLAY brochure? 😜 💙

The countdown to the school holidays is on! Our team is getting ready for a veeeeery busy two weeks. We're hosting a bunch of fun events for tamariki (kids) including pet toy making, mystery crafts, a camouflage challenge, and more. 🐕 🎨 🤸

And that's just a small sample of what U-PLAY has on offer this time. Grab a brochure on your next visit or check out the full timetable online 👇
https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/community/u-play

Hey, Upper Hutt – are you ready for the biggest birthday bash of the year? 🎂

One of the most iconic and beloved characters in children's literature celebrates a milestone birthday in October: Winnie the Pooh turns 100!

To mark the occasion, we're having a full day of celebrations. Join us for a special themed StoryTots session, crafts, a honey pot scavenger hunt, and more. 🍯

🗓️ Wednesday, 14 October 2026
🕤 9.30am to 6.00pm
📍 Central Library

Find out more on our website 👇

100 Years of Winnie the Pooh Everyone's favourite honey fan reaches a milestone birthday! Join us for a day of celebrations with storytime, themed crafts, and an extra special scavenger hunt.

Are you ready for a super cosy book recommendation? 🥰 The beaming Jay from our Outreach Team is here to share a quick review of "What You are Looking For is In the Library" by Michiko Aoyama:

"A friend of mine recommended another book by this author when I was looking for something uplifting and hopeful to read. I really enjoyed that book, so I absolutely had to read this one, too – because what kind of librarian would I be if I didn't!" 😉

"Each chapter of this book focuses on a different character. What they all have in common is that they end up at a library with a truly unforgettable librarian. I'll just say that the librarian is either incredibly skilled or a little bit magical... or possibly both."

"The stories are all so cosy and reminded me of how amazing it can feel when you read the right book at the right time of your life. You might be revisiting an old favourite or discovering a new gem that perfectly captures how you're feeling about something in your life. It's that special magic of books." 📚

Add a little magic to your reading, place a reserve 👇
https://tinyurl.com/6w2n97e4

Today, we're throwing it back to when Central Library had its own water feature. ⛲Hands up if you remember this iconic fountain! ✋

This colour slide from the UHCC collection shows the Rotary Garden back in the 1980s, which was just outside the front of the library building.

The namesake lives on today through the Rotary Lounge, which replaced the garden when the library expanded to offer a bigger community space. The Rotary Lounge later relocated to the other side of the building, where it remains today with lots of spots to read and relax. Our children's area is now right where the garden used to be. 🌷

To explore more, head on over to Mahara Upper Hutt Community Archive 👇
https://uhcl.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/28096