Books on High

book_shop — Auckland CBD · Auckland

About Books on High

Books on High is a bookstore on High Street in the Auckland CBD, carrying an unusually wide subject range that spans everyday fiction and non-fiction through to a genuine antiquarian, classics and rare book collection. Alongside books, the store stocks crystals, artifacts, gifts and stationery, including the Ferris Wheel Press pen range.

The rare book side of the shop includes items like Bligh's Voyage In The Resource From Coupling To Batavia, an 8-volume History of England in the Lives of the Englishmen, and New Zealand-specific historical titles such as Old New Zealand, Battle of Orakau, and Lessons in the English Language for Maori Schools - the kind of stock aimed at collectors as much as general readers.

On the general books side, the subject range covers everything from architecture, art and astrology through fiction, history, Te Ao Māori and Te Reo Māori, philosophy, psychology, spirituality, tarot and oracle cards, and world languages, alongside a dedicated Auckland Writers Festival 2026 section. Most items can be bought online with Click & Collect, or added to a wishlist for later.

Books on High: Antiquarian, Rare and General Books on Auckland's High Street

Books on High sits on High Street in the Auckland CBD, running as a bookstore with a subject range that goes well beyond a typical general bookshop. Alongside the everyday categories - fiction, non-fiction, biography, children's books - the store carries a genuine antiquarian, classics and rare book collection, plus crystals, artifacts, gifts and stationery.

A Serious Rare Book Collection

The antiquarian side of Books on High is where the store sets itself apart. Stock includes items like The History Of The Low-Countrey Warres, Bligh's Voyage In The Resource From Coupling To Batavia, and an 8-volume set of A History of England in the Lives of the Englishmen. New Zealand history features prominently too, with titles like Old New Zealand, Battle of Orakau, and Lessons in the English Language for Maori Schools sitting alongside multi-volume sets such as The Works of Laurence Sterne. These are limited-stock items, often held at just one or two copies, aimed squarely at collectors and researchers rather than casual browsers.

A Genuinely Wide Subject Range

Beyond the rare book room, Books on High's general catalogue spans dozens of subjects - architecture, art, astrology, automotive, biography, environmental studies, esoteric literature, feminism and womanhood, health and healing, history, indigenous studies, law, politics and economics, literature, maps, maritime, mysticism, New Zealand, numerology, occult, personal development, philosophy, poetry, psychology, religion, Rudolf Steiner, Russian literature, science, society and culture, spirituality, sporting and hunting, Te Ao Māori and Te Reo Māori, The Fourth Way, transport and aviation, travel, world history, world languages, and yoga, among others. It's the kind of range built for browsing across very different interests under one roof.

Beyond Books

The store doesn't stop at books. Crystals, artifacts and gifts sit alongside a stationery range that includes Ferris Wheel Press pens - the Roundabout Rollerball and the Scribe Ballpoint among them - giving shoppers something beyond reading material to pick up.

Tied to Auckland's Literary Calendar

Books on High keeps a dedicated section for the Auckland Writers Festival 2026, tying its catalogue into the city's literary events calendar rather than treating the shop as separate from what's happening in Auckland's book scene more broadly.

Shopping the Catalogue

Most items on the site can be bought online with a Click & Collect option, letting customers reserve a title and pick it up rather than waiting on delivery. Items can also be added to a wishlist, useful for tracking rare titles with limited stock until you're ready to buy.

Visiting Books on High

Books on High is located at 8 High Street, Auckland CBD. Specific opening hours aren't included in the content available for this listing, so anyone planning to visit in person is best to check the store's Contact & Opening Hours page directly before heading down. For collectors after a genuine rare book find, or anyone after a wide-ranging general bookshop with a bit of everything, High Street's Books on High covers both ends of that spectrum.

Signature items

  • A History of England in the Lives of the Englishmen (8 Vols)
  • Bligh's Voyage In The Resource
  • The Works of Laurence Sterne (4 Vols)
  • Old New Zealand
  • Battle of Orakau
  • Ferris Wheel Press Rollerball Pen

Menu

Stationery

  • Ferris Wheel Press - The Roundabout Rollerball Pen (Granite Guardians) — Rollerball pen from the Ferris Wheel Press range
  • Ferris Wheel Press - The Scribe Ballpoint Pen (Forget Me Not) — Ballpoint pen from the Ferris Wheel Press range

Antiquarian, Classics & Rare Books

  • The History Of The Low-Countrey Warres — Antiquarian/rare title, in stock
  • Bligh's Voyage In The Resource From Coupling To Batavia — Antiquarian/rare title, in stock
  • Report of the Commission — Antiquarian/rare title, in stock
  • Battle of Orakau — Antiquarian/rare title on New Zealand history, in stock
  • The Tale of the Tales - The Beatrix Potter Ballet — Rare title, in stock
  • James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1895 — Antiquarian cricket annual, in stock
  • With the Machine Gunners in France and Palestine — Antiquarian/rare title, in stock
  • Old New Zealand — Antiquarian title on New Zealand history, in stock
  • Lessons in the English Language for Maori Schools — Antiquarian educational title, in stock
  • The Works of Laurence Sterne (4 Vols) — Multi-volume antiquarian set, in stock
  • Conduction of Electricity through Gases — Antiquarian scientific title, in stock
  • Pickering's Races of Man — Antiquarian/rare title, in stock
  • Voyages & Travels — Antiquarian travel title, in stock
  • The Margravine of Baireuth and Voltaire — Antiquarian/rare title, in stock
  • A History of England in the Lives of the Englishmen (8 Vols) — Large multi-volume antiquarian set, in stock

Frequently asked questions

What does Books on High sell?
A wide range of new and antiquarian books, plus crystals, artifacts, gifts and stationery including Ferris Wheel Press pens.
Does Books on High stock rare or antiquarian books?
Yes, including maritime history, New Zealand history and multi-volume antiquarian sets, often held in very limited stock.
Can I click and collect an order?
Yes, most items on the site offer a Click & Collect option alongside standard checkout.
Does the store have a connection to the Auckland Writers Festival?
Yes, there's a dedicated Auckland Writers Festival 2026 section on the site.
What subjects does the general book range cover?
A very wide range, from fiction, history and philosophy to Te Ao Māori, spirituality, tarot, world languages and yoga, among many others.
Where is Books on High located?
8 High Street, Auckland CBD.

Tips

  • {"body":"Antiquarian and rare books are often held in stock of just one or two copies.","title":"Check stock before visiting for rare titles"}
  • {"body":"Reserve an item online and pick it up in store rather than waiting on delivery.","title":"Use Click & Collect"}
  • {"body":"Crystals, artifacts, gifts and Ferris Wheel Press stationery are also stocked.","title":"Browse beyond books"}
  • {"body":"Specific hours aren't listed here - check the store's Contact & Opening Hours page before visiting.","title":"Confirm opening hours directly"}