The purpose of the National Library is to enrich the cultural and economic life of New Zealand and its interchanges with other nations by, as appropriate,—
collecting, preserving, and protecting documents, particularly those relating to New Zealand, and making them accessible for all the people of New Zealand, in a manner consistent with their status as documentary heritage and taonga; and
supplementing and furthering the work of other libraries in New Zealand; and
working collaboratively with other institutions having similar purposes, including those forming part of the international library community.