Back Issues

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Speakers at a meeting held in Palmerston North 17 June 1985 showed it was possible to build widespread support for the Homosexual Law Reform Bill. The meeting was attended by 300 local people, from a wide range of groups. The meeting showed that additional support from groups outside the existing gay groups and organisations could help win over enough support in Parliament for the bill to pass.

MP Fran Wilde was the sponsor of the bill and heard from members of the Manawatū Gay Rights Association (MGRA) how a mass action campaign in support of the bill could be organised and succesfully carried out. A much bigger nationwide campaign followed.

The Homosexual Law Reform Act, decriminalising homosexual acts between consenting males aged 16 and over, came into effect 8 August 1986.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The founding of Manawatū Gay Rights Association (MaGRA) in 1977 occurred during a period of time when queer (LGBTQIA+) experiences were mostly absent from the media and mocked by many in the community. Whilst a lot of progress has been made over the past 50 years changing laws and attitudes to protect sexual orientation as a human right, individuals lives and experiences are rarely recorded. Manawatū Lesbian and Gay Rights Association (MaLGRA) in 2024 is embarking on an oral history project to record the history and experiences of Manawatū's Rainbow community.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Bernet Krumin, also known as Barnett Crumin, Barrett Crumen (or Krumen) was born in Latvia in 1878. He was better known in New Zealand as Russian Jack and walked North Island roads for 53 years. Most of the roads the swagman travelled were in the Manawatū, Wairarapa and Rangitīkei.

Bernet regularly travelled to Palmerston North and visited the Leyland family who lived in College Street. He died aged 90 in 1968 and is buried in Greytown cemetery.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Historian Margaret Tennant explores the controversial history behind the name Palmerston North.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The history of radio listening since 1924. By the 1930's, it is estimated that more than half of New Zealand homes had a radio. Tuning in to the 'wireless' became a communal activity, bringing people together at the same time of day.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. In 1922, the Performing Arts Competitions Society commenced with holding an annual programme of competitions for young performing artists. Over the years, young people have competed in categories which include: musical instruments, dance, speech and drama and most recently, musical theatre.

The continued success of the competitions is due to the dedication of local teachers and the volunteers who organised venues, enrolments, judges, accompanists, advertisers, sponsors and special galas.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. History of New Zealand's School Dental service, started 100 years ago. Before the days of fluoridation and regular treatment, dental health was poor. Children had decaying and infected teeth, which was recognised as having adverse effects on health, nutrition and learning. From the 1920s, school dental clinics treated children whilst they were at school. Local people relate dread and pain when called to the school dental clinic.

The management of the service devolved to area health boards in the 1980s and 1990s.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Story of the 1970s Centennial pavilion building in Te Marae o Hine and its repurpose as the Kelvin Grove Community Centre in 1980.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The Manawatū/Horowhenua campaign for women's voting rights in the 1890s was led by a group of passionate advocates. These included Learmonth White Dalrymple, Margaret Giesen, her daughter Edith Giesen, Mary Alice Sorley, Clara Lethbridge, Minnie Leary, Mary Butters and Elizabeth Esther Dillon. When the local branches of the women's run Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) were formed, a number of husbands offered support. The WCTU main objective was temperance, which was addressed through the lens of other women's issues, including obtaining the vote.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The Esplanade has long provided unforgettable memories for Palmerstonians. This article outlines the history of Victoria Esplanade and its attractions since opening in 1897.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Between 1911 and 1984, Palmerstonians were entertained on Satuday nights at times in theatre, a skating hall, a dance hall and a ball room in George Street. Buildings were demolished in 1984 to make way for retail premises. However a small wooden building which housed some of the entertainment facilities remains as 52-56 George Street.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Article about Friday night shopping in Palmerston North and Feilding before weekend trading.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The history of Wellington anniversary day and a case for celebrating Palmerston North anniversary separately.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The role and history of flax in Manawatū and Horowhenua, from pre-European times to the mid- twentieth century. Harakeke, or New Zealand Flax, was named Phormium tenax by botonists aboard Captain Cook's voyage in 1772. Flax was pivotal to traditional Māori life., health and commerce. As European immigrants settled in Aotearoa, flax became mostly a transitional industry, milled as part of swamp clearance for farmland. In the Manawatū and Horowhenua, the industry was more permanent. The last flax mill in the country was New Zealand Woolpack and Textiles Ltd, Foxton. It closed in 1973.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. In 1906, Jinnie Rawlins became the proprietress of the White House tearoom, situated between Coleman Mall and Rangitīkei Street in the Square. Jinnie was an influential business woman and the tea and luncheon rooms soon became a popular local hot spot. She established a second eatery in a kiosk in Victoria Esplanade. Jinny and her husband William Rawlins had several children. Their eldest daughter Evelyn Mary Rawlins was born in 1889 and was to become a popular piano teacher.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Intermediate schools first opened in New Zealand in 1922. Palmerston North Intermediate opened 5 February 1941 with a roll of 645 pupis and 21 teachers. Now called Palmerston North Intermediate Normal, the school catered for standards five and six pupils who formerly attended the city's primary schools. Two further Intermediates, Ross Intermdiate and Monrad Intermediate opened in later years.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Article about the importance of preserving historical family records electronically and sharing the material with family and the community. The City Library has options and advise for preservation and encourages donation of local history material to the Ian Matheson City Archive.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. In 2023, it has been 25 years since restoration was completed of the Regent on Broadway. Originally opened in 1930, its beauty astounded people. By the 1940s it became part of the Kerridge Odean cinema chain. A lot of the building's original features disappeared over the next decades.
With public support, The Regent Action Group set about advocating for the theatre's restoration in 1989. Council bought the building in 1993 and restoration work commenced in 1996. Much of the theatre was returned to its 1930s original state, with facilities added fit for modern performing arts requirements. The reopening in 1998 was celebrated with two weeks of festive events and performances.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Early 1970s nationwide protest against New Zealand's participation in the Vietnam War; Palmerston North played its part. The reported silent majority who demonstrated and protested were described as students, trade unionists, church groups, individuals and families, and members of the Mongrel Mob. The protest groups that marched down Broadway Avenue and gathered in Te Marae o Hine/The Square were the largest that had been seen in Palmerston North.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. History of the development of Memorial Park. Before it became a public park, it was used by New Zealand Railways as a ballast pit. The Council purchased the site and Fitzroy Park was opened in 1938, with the lakelet completed and work on the swimming pool underway. In 1954 the park was renamed Memorial Park, commencing its memorial history. A wide range of sporting and recreational facilities have been added over the years. Today, Memorial Park is one of Palmerston North's leading attractions.