Samoa House Library is an independent art library and alternative education platform, located in the Samoa House building at 283 Karangahape Road, Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It is an artist-run and community-grown space that first emerged in response to the closures of specialist libraries at the University of Auckland. 

 

The library consists of: 

• An open and inclusive space for people to meet, study, and work

• A growing collection of texts, based primarily off donations from our community

• A calendar of group discussions, workshops, and other public programmes

• A research-based residency programme

• Ten studio spaces for individuals or art organisations

​

​

​

Organisation

 

The library is organised by the Save Fine Arts Library Charitable Trust, and funded by Creative New Zealand grants and other small fundraisers. The library is supported by a range of volunteers who help to mind, maintain, and develop the space and its organisation, as well as by individuals and organisations who donate books and resources, and provide support in other ways. If you are interested in being involved please feel free to contact us via email or in person at the library. ​

 

Samoa House building

 

Samoa House was built with funds raised by the Samoa House Appeal Fund and opened in 1978. The site includes the first fale built outside of Samoa and previously housed the Samoan consulate alongside community spaces and offices. The Consulate-General relocated to Mangere in 2016. The consulate lease spaces within Samoa House to a variety of private and public spaces.

​

Staff

​Edith Amituanai, Kaitiaki Director

Olive Wilson, Research Librarian

​

Board

Connie Brown, Co-Chairperson

Felixe Laine, Co-Chairperson

Tamara Darragh, Treasurer

Elizabeth Corin 

Ford Nicholas Jones

​

​

​

​

​