About Unity
Unity Books began as an antidote to the ordinary. Founded in 1967 by sportsman and philosopher Alan Preston, in a space measuring 4 feet at its narrowest in Wellington's Empire Building, the store was filled with titles that reflected a higher ideal: history, classics, philosophy and politics - serious books.
Unity quickly grew and became more radical, relocating four times in Wellington before ultimately ending up at 57 Willis Street. Book lovers rejoiced when our Auckland store slotted perfectly into its High Street location in 1989. Little Unity joined a few decades later, right next door.
For more than 55 years, we’ve kept Wellingtonians and Aucklanders well-read. Our sister-stores have developed a reputation for stocking obscure and interesting books, and employing expert book hunters. We are proud to host a number of inclusive events and launches, and support and work with local writers and Aotearoa publishers.
We provide spaces where any person can sit and think in public, without feeling the pressure to be industrious or buy a book. At Unity, reading is a group activity. It’s a place for all book lovers to celebrate their passion for literature.
“At Unity, reading is a group activity. It’s a place for all book lovers to celebrate their passion for literature.”
Alan’s founding vision has not only survived, it has taken off, with Unity becoming as much an institution as it is a bookshop. Alan’s vision lives on in our general chaos, faithful dedication to the notion of good books as being crucial to good lives, and of Unity being a world within a world, where you can always find what you are looking for.
Wellington
57 Willis Street
Wellington 6011
Auckland
19 High Street
Auckland 1010
little Unity
31 Vulcan Lane
Auckland 1010