Evolution of legal deposit in New Zealand: From print to digital heritage

The evolution of legal deposit shows changes and challenges in collecting, access to and use of documentary heritage. Legal deposit emerged in New Zealand at the beginning of the 20th century with the aim of preserving print publications mainly for the use of a privileged part of society. In the 21st century legal deposit has evolved to include the safeguarding of electronic resources and providing access to the documentary heritage for all New Zealanders. The National Library of New Zealand has acquired new functions for a proper stewardship of digital heritage. E-deposit and web harvesting are two new mechanisms for collecting New Zealand publications. The article proposes that legal deposit through human rights and multiculturalism should involve different communities of heritage in web curation.