Introducing a new name, fresh look for Upper Hutt's community archive

Published on 31 July 2025

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We’re excited to announce that the digital home for Upper Hutt’s community archive and history has a new name: welcome to Mahara Upper Hutt Community Archive!

The name change comes with a fresh, updated look for the archive website’s online interface, designed to make your walk down memory lane or deep dive into researching Upper Hutt’s past even more visually engaging.

Same fascinating content, new and improved user experience

All the functions and options to explore the community archive remain the same. While the name and appearance of the website have been updated to align with the Upper Hutt Libraries colour scheme and look, the content you enjoy (digitised photographs and documents, oral histories and ephemera, and more) is still right at your fingertips.

You will be able to:

  • browse thousands of historical photographs relating to Upper Hutt’s people and places;
  • search for specific events and iconic past initiatives in the community;
  • create personal collections of your favourite heritage items;
  • and most importantly, continue Upper Hutt’s story and contribute your own photographs and unique local knowledge.

Co-creation is at the heart of what makes Mahara Upper Hutt Community Archive so special. It’s thanks to direct input from local residents, past and present, that the chapters of our city’s story through the decades are documented in detail.

Mahara: remembering Upper Hutt's past together

‘Mahara’ is the Te Reo Māori word meaning ‘memory’ or ‘to remember’. We have included this word in the archive’s new name to honour and acknowledge our local area’s long pre-settlement history.

We’re committed to making the many facets of Upper Hutt’s history discoverable and meaningful for everyone, and proud that the new name of our community archive emphasises its role as a tool for preserving and celebrating local heritage.

Explore the community archive now

Dive into the past: local history and heritage resources

For history buffs, young learners, curious new residents, and everyone who loves to explore Upper Hutt – your chance to travel back in time is just a click away.

Upper Hutt Local History Group

Come along to our monthly meetings to connect with other local history enthusiasts, learn about current research projects, and share your unique knowledge of life in Upper Hutt through the decades. 

Storymaps

Take a digital tour of well-known Upper Hutt places with interactive maps telling beautiful micro histories about the city’s CBD, military heritage, and more.

Collection Spotlights

Enjoy specially curated, themed collections bringing together a variety of digitised content and media about specific local people, events, and topics.

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