Book Haven is an independent second-hand bookshop (with some new books) in Newtown, Te-Whanganui-A-Tara/Wellington. We co-share the space with the Freedom Shop, a local info-shop. If you're in town, drop by & browse https://bookhaven.co.nzhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mkvu5s3gi22oOne of my all time favourite books ‘Woman On The Edge Of Time’ by Marge Piercy is fresh on our shelves. Last year someone came into the shop asking if you knew you were dying, what would you read? (We’re close to Wellington Hospital) After thinking it over, my answer was ‘Woman On The Edge Of Time’.03 May 2026 00:02 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkvu5s3gi22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mkqrkkxo3s2mIt’s May Day - if you can’t get out & join the revolution, at least read a book about it! On the blackboard we’ve got books we highly recommend & in the window a sample incl. Rebel Cities, Armies Of The Poor, Workers' Holidays in NZ, Art And Organised Labour, & Wobblies of the World. Happy May Day!30 Apr 2026 23:32 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqrkkxo3s2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mk7uwwfsis2xBook Haven is closed all ANZAC Day - rather than opening in the afternoon we’ll be at the Hikoi for Peace, which gathers at Waitangi Park then at 2pm walk to Pukeahu where there’s a peace concert. For more info check out Peace Action Wellington - they have a facepuke page and also Instagram24 Apr 2026 06:17 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk7uwwfsis2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mimts4ikok2mThe message on the blackboard this week: ‘Books take you places - local & afar - & without petrol’ and if you want to make your own electric car, have a look at the 1980 book ‘Electric Vehicles: Design And Build Your Own’ by Michael A. Hackleman #secondhandbookshop03 Apr 2026 23:11 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mimts4ikok2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mhn2evce4224We’re looking forward to Elizabeth Cox talking about her book Mr Ward's Map in BookHaven 26/3 6.30pm. The book really is a stunning portrayal of Wellington at the end of the 1800s - lots of detail. The talk will be perfect for those interested in local histories, cartography & the study of history.22 Mar 2026 07:44 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhn2evce4224https://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mgv7uugs322aInteresting: Germany’s culture commissioner, Wolfram Weimer, consults domestic intel agency before approving funds to bookshops. This year 3 bookshops lose out on funding, what they had in common is they're left-wing, anti-fascist & host community discussions https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/10/why-independent-bookshops-strike-fear-in-the-heart-of-germanys-culture-tsar12 Mar 2026 20:18 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgv7uugs322ahttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mgj5uwzepk2lIt’s International Women's Day today, 8 March - not just a day to celebrate but also a day to make visible struggles of women & remind everyone that we need collective action for gender parity - it’s beyond time to change the patriarchy! #internationalwomensday08 Mar 2026 01:11 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgj5uwzepk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mfzskgibxc25There’s a peace vigil today for all people who oppose war: Monday, 2 March 5:30pm meeting at the Cenotaph on the corner of Lambton Quay and Bowen Street. Called by @peacewellington.bsky.social It seems timely that we happen to have Raymond Briggs’ The Tin-Pot General in the shop. #NoWar01 Mar 2026 22:38 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfzskgibxc25https://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mfibc4sgnc23Decentring Polynesia tonight 23/2 7pm at @twofiftyseven.co A critical conversation & reading led by Emelihter Kihleng & Tagi Qolouvaki, focused on writing from the borderlands of Oceania, challenging Polynesian hegemony, sharing perspectives on being seen, heard, and read on their own terms.22 Feb 2026 23:14 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfibc4sgnc23https://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mfdlmjjlac2iToday 21 /2 at 2/57 Willis St is Indigenous Futurisms - a talanoa with Tīhema Baker, Gina Cole & Emele Ugavule #TadraVata #TadraVataAotearoa #nzFringeFestival21 Feb 2026 02:35 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfdlmjjlac2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mfangjs5p22wTonight, 20 Feb. 7-8.30om, at 2/57 Willis St Tadra Vata Aotearoa begins with a celebration of poetry & spoken word. Hana Buchanan, Makanaka Tuwe & Kris Girven share new & recent work in an intimate evening of poetry & pose.  Tickets from @studiokiin #TadraVata #TadraVataAotearoa #nzFringeFestival19 Feb 2026 22:30 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfangjs5p22whttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mez6dranr22wOne of my best summer reads was Louise Erdrich’s Books & Islands in Ojibwe Country. I was immersed in Ojibwe Country as Louise journeyed with her 18-month old child through lakes & lands, stone paintings, an island with a library, & through it all the relationship with her baby & the Ojibwe language16 Feb 2026 23:11 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mez6dranr22whttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3meu2v4b6sk2wE-tangata’s back from their summer break. There’s articles on Luxton’s Waitangi speech (his speech highlights the need to keep teaching history). There’s also articles on prison (we do recommend Harry Walker’s ‘A Voice For The Silenced’ for some reality about justice here). Do dive into e-tangata14 Feb 2026 22:26 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3meu2v4b6sk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3me5ejvx7vc26#everydayiswaitangiday Everyday we need to understand, know who we are & where we stand & everyday we can stand together for kotahitanga. We’ve some writers on the blackboard to remind us & with a shout out for BWB books @etangata.bsky.social #toitūtetiriti05 Feb 2026 21:47 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3me5ejvx7vc26https://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mdhacnuh2c2vParliament’s back to sitting so here’s some nz politics books: Nicky Hager’s The Hollow Men, Max Rashbrooke’s Inequality, Tony Simpson’s A Vision Betrayed, and Bruce Jesson’s To Build A Nation (I wonder what Bruce would be saying now about the state of things if he were still alive #nzpolitics28 Jan 2026 02:33 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdhacnuh2c2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3mcgh3s37ws2tWant a rainy day read? We’ve a new selection of Penguins: Hannah Arendt’s The Origins of Totalitarianism, Edward W. Said’s Orientalism & Frantz Fanon’s The Wretched Of The Earth. & Charles Dickens’ Bleak House, Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, & Plato’s Republic15 Jan 2026 01:37 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcgh3s37ws2thttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3m7bhhaympk2kToday Saturday 6 Dec at 5pm our friends & neighbours at Opportunity for Animals are launching their new cookbook. It’s a fundraiser for the continued care of their rescued animals.05 Dec 2025 21:44 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7bhhaympk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3m72gxdszrc2xWe’ve got programmes in Book Haven for songs of solidarity (SOS) - a 3 day book festival celebrating, acknowledging, & sharing stories of resistance & resilience, songs from indigenous & intersectional voices across aotearoa and the global south - Friday 3/12-Sunday 7/12 songsofsolidarity.com03 Dec 2025 02:47 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m72gxdszrc2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3m5tydm24uk2bAs today is known to some as Neil Roberts Day, we thought a display of books about surveillance is appropriate. On 18/11/1982 the Wanganui Computer building was bombed by Neil, he was killed instantly. For context on how and why this happened read: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/the-wireless/373579/an-anarchist-with-a-death-wish17 Nov 2025 19:44 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5tydm24uk2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3m5rrtjij5c2bAnnouncing the fact that we have new bookmarks!16 Nov 2025 22:42 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5rrtjij5c2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3m5kj27bjak2iToday is the J.D. Stout Annual Lecture and Toby Boraman is talking: ‘Knocking off: Strikes in Aotearoa New Zealand 1968–1986‘ It’s at 4pm, 14 November, at GBLT1 (Old Government Buildings) Pipitea Campus, Lambton Quay. #StoutLecture #nzUnions14 Nov 2025 01:16 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5kj27bjak2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3m4tt7vf3v22rToday is the Fifth of November, Parihaka Day.05 Nov 2025 00:47 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4tt7vf3v22rhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3m4cl6qxdzk2q28/10 was Te Pūtake o te Riri/He Rā Maumahara & the anniversary of He Whakaputanga. Today, 29/10, the government has released the new Social Sciences curriculum & are gloating. They want to take 'the politics out of history' & return to the sort of text book pictured - a white-washed history. Shame29 Oct 2025 04:08 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4cl6qxdzk2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3m47eezatg22a28/10/25 is Te Pūtake o te Riri, He Rā Maumahara – the national day of commemoration for the NZ wars. It's also the date of the signing of He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tirene in 1835. These days must be remembered; we need to know & understand the stories of what has passed in this land.27 Oct 2025 21:28 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m47eezatg22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3m434hisr7c2zBook Haven’s Blackboard for the last few days has been: ‘Real books don’t die (or feed algorithms!) There were a few queries about what really is an algorithm - and it did spark an interest in our Maths books! #mathbooks #secondhandbookshop #blackboardsigns26 Oct 2025 04:56 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m434hisr7c2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3m3g32nt57c2yCongratulations to LandFall. It is fantastic to see the 250th issue: Landfall Tauraka! We hope there will be many, many more issues to come. Landfall is a true treasure - we take delight in having so many back issues here at Book Haven. #landfall #landfalltauraka #lft250 #nzjournals #secondhandbooks17 Oct 2025 20:05 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3g32nt57c2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3m2vpd6zcyc2kThis Wednesday 15 Oct is the launch of Protect Protest. many people have concerns with govt proposals to significantly impact the right to protest, so we recommend finding out more protectprotest.nz The coalition includes @nzccl.org.nz so we thought it was a good time to profile a 1985 NZCCL book.11 Oct 2025 07:52 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2vpd6zcyc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3m2gtewoo5222It’s Banned Books week 2025, so we’ve got some titles on the blackboard of just a few books that have been banned at some stage, including some NZ ones: A Way of Love by James Courage, The Butcher Shop by Jean Devanny, Washday at the Pa by Ans Westra, & Safe Marriage by Ettie Rout. #BannedBooksWeek05 Oct 2025 09:55 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2gtewoo5222https://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3lyyozeflhc2hTe Wiki o te Reo Maori Ake ake ake We’ve got old & new study te Reo books + to support te Reo Māori as a Forever Language, we think it’s important to know where we stand Some authors we recommend are Ranginui Walker, Tina Ngata, Ani Mikaere & also check out BWB texts #TeWikioTeReo #MaoriLanguageWeek17 Sep 2025 01:34 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3lyyozeflhc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/bookhavennz.bsky.social/post/3lyr4izxlc224A timely arrival of books about fascism have just arrived: ‘Blood In The Face’ - the rise of white supremacists & Christian fundamentalists in the USA, ‘No Retreat’ - the fight against fascism in Britain in the 1980s - 90s, & ‘Blood of Spain’ - an oral history of the Spanish revolution #FightFascism14 Sep 2025 01:15 +0000at://did:plc:rxfjogascx5jtkouwascslyq/app.bsky.feed.post/3lyr4izxlc224