This list of selected resources is divided into two sections; the first covers University-related material for researchers interested in tracing a Collegian’s career at Auckland University College. The second section points to websites which offer wide-ranging resources on Aotearoa New Zealand and the First World War.

Researching a Collegian's career at Auckland University College

There are several potentially useful sources to explore if you want to learn more about how a Collegian listed in the Roll of Honour spent their time at Auckland University College (AUC).

From our experience, the amount of information to be found for each Collegian depends on a number of factors, including whether they were on staff or a student, how long they were at AUC, whether or not they gained a qualification and how active they were in campus life.

Not surprisingly, those who spent several years at AUC and attained qualifications tended to leave more traces in university publications and archives than those who attended only for a short time.  The latter included non-matriculated students studying towards the equivalent of today’s University Entrance rather than a degree, part-timers who paid to attend particular classes, and students at Auckland Teacher’s Training College who took papers at AUC as part of their training.

Keeping that in mind, we recommend checking the following items which are held in Special Collections or elsewhere in the University's library system. All of these items, and more, can be found through Search Everything.

Publications

Auckland University College Calendars. The Calendars for the late 19th - early 20th century include lists of graduates, undergraduates, annual examination results, scholarships, staff, courses, and more. They are less likely to contain information about non-matriculated students (who have an N marked in the Degree field in the Roll of Honour).
Access: View in Special Collections reading room New Zealand Glass Case 378.95 A89cal.

The Kiwi : official organ of the Auckland University College. First published in 1905, this student magazine provides a valuable insight into University life.  Many Collegians are mentioned by name in the reports about clubs, sports teams, tournaments, capping ceremonies, and in other student-contributed content.  The wartime issues carry lists of those serving in the war (based on the Roll) and obituaries, sometimes with photos, for those who died. 
Access: Online or numerous library copies, including Special Collections New Zealand Glass Case 378.95 K62.

Manuka : occasional magazine of the Auckland College of Education. The student magazine for the teachers’ Training College, which was a separate institution. Around 152 of the men listed in the Roll of Honour were students or staff at the Training College.  As well as war-related content, including obituaries and some photographs, the magazine includes plenty of material by and about students and alumni, including address lists. 
Access: General Library, New Zealand & Pacific collection 378.95 M26; Epsom Library Stack periodicals 370.7305 MAN.

Keith Sinclair, A history of the University of Auckland, 1883-1983, Auckland, 1983. A general history of the University, including profiles of some early students, alumni and staff.
Access: Online or numerous library copies, including Special Collections New Zealand Glass Case 378.95 S61.

Eric Blow, Golden jubilee book of the Auckland University College, 1883-1933 : A book to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Auckland University College, Auckland, 1933. It includes an expanded Roll of Honour and reminiscences and anecdotes about the College.
Access: Online or numerous library copies, including Special Collections New Zealand Glass Case 378.95 B65.

MSS & Archives

Special Collections holds several archival collections relating to the history of the University of Auckland. We recommend searching for archival material through the Manuscripts and Archives catalogue. Items can be viewed in the Special Collections Reading Room after the standard reader registration and ordering processes have been completed.  The most useful collections for the wartime period are:

Auckland University Student’s Association records, MSS & Archives E-9: Contains Students’ Association minute books.

Auckland University Students' Association further records, MSS & Archives 2014/2: Contains annual reports of the Students' Association.

University of Auckland historical collection: part 1, MSS & Archives E-8: Contains reminiscences and biographical material, programmes for AUC events and some photographs.

University of Auckland historical collection: part 2, MSS & Archives 97/5: Contains a similar range of content as MSS & Archives E-8.

University of Auckland historical collection: part 3, MSS & Archives Vault 130: Of particular interest is a set of record cards for AUC students who studied chemistry between 1883 and 1914.

Auckland University College Debating Society minute book, MSS & Archives E-4: Contains the minutes and details of debates for the period 1887-1916.

Auckland University College Men’s Common Room Club minute book, MSS & Archives E-6: Minutes covering the period 1906-1924.
 

First World War resources

These are just a few of the websites which offer a wealth of resources relating to New Zealand and the First World War:

Alexander Turnbull Library: Includes extensive original and digitised collections of personal papers and photographs, plus a research guide to the First World War.

Archway: The Archives New Zealand hub which includes digitised military records.

Auckland Libraries Heritage Images database: Of particular relevance are the digitised photographs from the Auckland Weekly News and the Herman John Schmidt collection of soldiers' portraits.

Australian War Memorial: Includes extensive collections of personal papers and official records such as unit diaires, much of it digitised.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Includes a register of Commonwealth war graves and memorials.

Europeana 1914-1918: Brings together stories, films, archives and photographs from libraries and archives as well as privately-held material.

Imperial War Museums: The central site for the Imperial War Museums in England, including digitised content.

National Army Museum Te Mata Toa Recollect: Thousands of digitised photographs from the Waiouru-based National Army Museum's collections.

New Zealand history online: First World War history: In-depth and wide-ranging analysis of New Zealand and the war, produced by the History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

New Zealand War Graves Trust: Features information and photographs of the war graves of New Zealanders from all wars.

New Zealand WW100: The official hub for the First World War centenary commemorations in New Zealand. Includes a useful New Zealand at war timeline.

Online Cenotaph: Auckland War Memorial Museum's database which includes information about New Zealand's service personnel, links to digitised military records and content supplied by the public.