Research databases

Related links

We subscribe to these online resources. Most can be accessed both inside and outside the library, except where indicated.  For external access you will need to enter your library barcode number.

These resources, and other useful websites, can also be accessed via our subject listing of online resources.

  • Ancestry Library Edition - for use in the library only
    Trace your family history in US and UK BMD, census and other family history records.
  • Biography Resource Centre
    Biographical information on more than one million people from throughout history, around the world, and across all disciplines and subject areas
  • Breakout
    Search for New Zealand awards, scholarships and grants for individuals
  • Fundview
    Search for community funding in New Zealand
  • Greenfile
    Information about the relationship between human beings and the environment, covering  global warming, recycling, alternate fuel sources etc.
  • History Resource Centre
    Themes and trends from ancient to modern history, covering journals, books, reference books; include full-text and facsimile images for over 1,400 primary source documents.

  • Index New Zealand
    An index with abstracts from New Zealand serial publications
  • Literature Resource Centre
    Biographies, bibliographies and critical analysis of over 90,000 authors from every age and literary discipline.
  • Māori Land Court Minute Book Index - for use in the library only
    A fully searchable index to minute books 1865 - 1910, including Waipounamu Maori Land Court District (Nelson area). Copies of the Nelson Minute Books are held in the Maori Heritage Collection.
  • Masterfile Premier
    Full text of nearly 1,950 general periodicals covering a range of subjects including current affairs, business, entertainment, education, health, general science, multi-cultural issues and more.
  • New Zealand Index
    A collection of New Zealand-related databases where the information is indexed with a short abstract.
  • Oxford Art
    Encyclopaedia-style articles on the visual arts, biographies of famous artists, bibliographies and an image gallery with links to famous paintings and sculptures. Especially good for European art up to the 20th century.
  • Oxford English Dictionary
    Access to the acclaimed 2nd ed. 20 volume Dictionary and additions. - 1000 new and revised words added each quarter.
  • Oxford Music
    Search Oxford music reference works;  includes The New Grove Dictionary of Music & Musicians, The Oxford Dictionary of Music, The Oxford Companion to Music.
  • Oxford Reference
    Over 100 reference works and language and subject dictionaries in a single cross-searchable resource.
  • RDS Business Suite
    Search Business & Industry for company, industry and product information, Business & Management practices for  the processes, methods and strategies of managing a business and TableBase for industry statistics. Includes:

    Business & Industry
    Business & Management Practices
    TableBase