McNab New Zealand
The McNab New Zealand Collection was started by the Dunedin Public Libraries’ first significant donor lawyer, historian and Member of Parliament, Dr Robert McNab (1864 – 1917).
The donation in 1913 of his personal library of 4,200 books and ephemera laid the foundation upon which the current collection was built.
McNab’s major interests were Pacific exploration and New Zealand history, which are reflected in the collection today.
The McNab New Zealand Collection numbers over 100,000 items and continues to grow through purchase and donation. It comprises books, periodicals, newspapers, maps, troopship journals, genealogical resources, government publications, school magazines and newspaper indices.
With such a rich variety of New Zealand material, the McNab Collection ranks as one of the best in the country.