The items were selected from within Tapuaka—The Library’s Heritage & Archive Collections. The Pear Tree Press was established in 1988 by artist and master printer Tara McLeod.

The items include a varied selection of limited-edition books and other printed material using the traditional method of letterpress.

The current Pear Tree Press exhibit has been put together in support of a three-day workshop recently run by Tara McLeod for the Australian & New Zealand Rare Book School at the University’s own Wai-te-ata Press.

Using examples of his work housed in Tapuaka, Tara shared his inspirations and insights before leading participants on an experimental typographic journey with Wai-te-ata Press’s extensive collection of wood and metal types.

Tapuaka holds a significant collection of Tara McLeod's work, within which a wide variety of metal and wood types are used alongside images that may include hand-painting, linocut and wood engraving. The Pear Tree Press collection supports research and teaching in print culture, fine art, and the history of the book.