Maps

Manawatū Heritage has a great collection of maps.

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District Planning Map - City of Palmerston North Central Area

This map of inner-city Palmerston North has been colour-coded to designate the zoning or land use of different properties. Areas in red are zoned commercial, white are residential and purple are industrial. Recreational areas and open spaces are c...

Creator:      Palmerston North City Council, Planner's Department
Date:          1966 to 1968

Kairanga County Map, 1916

This map shows Kairanga County as it stood in 1916.

The Kairanga County Council was established in 1902 as a result of the amalgamation of the Manawatū Road Board and the Fitzherbert Road Board. The County amalgamated with the Manawatū County in ...

Creator:      
Place:          Kairanga County
Date:          1916

Makerua Agricultural and Swamp Lands Auction

An advertisement for the auction of Makerua Estate Company's land between Shannon, Tokomaru and Linton.

Creator:      MacDonald, Wilson & Co.
Place:          Shannon
Date:          circa 1903

Sub-divison of E.J Riddiford's Longburn Estate

An advertisement for the auction of E.J Riddiford's estate in Longburn. Riddiford's 1645 acres were to be sub-divided into 44 properties.

Creator:      Abraham & Williams
Place:          Longburn
Date:          circa 1913

Sledge Track map, Kahuterawa

The Sledge Track is located at the end of Kahuterawa Road, 17 km from the Palmerston North. It was opened in 2003. GPS (Global Positioning System) readings and old survey maps guided ensure the track follows the original road to the point where it...

Creator:      Ian Argyle
Place:          Manawatu
Date:          circa 2003

NZ Cadastral Map - Town Series: Palmerston North Map 3

Four first edition maps in a series covering Palmerston North and close environs. Map three covers Hokowhitu and Terrace End in Palmerston North, and the Fitzherbert (Aokautere) area, which was then in the Kairanga County. Map shows: Section and L...

Creator:      Lands and Survey Department, New Zealand
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          September 1, 1960

PNCC Area Units

Map that shows the areas within the Palmerston North City Council boundaries, updated to reflect the 2012 ward and boundary changes.

Creator:      PNCC
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          2012

PNCC Boundary and Ward Changes 2012

Map of Palmerston North City Council area updated to reflect the 2012 boundary and ward changes.

Creator:      PNCC
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          2012

Royal Tour of New Zealand, 1953-1954

This map details the route taken by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during their 1953-1954 royal tour. Descriptions of the attractions at various stops nationwide are listed on either side. Of Palmerston North: "Thursday, 7th January ...

Creator:      
Place:          New Zealand
Date:          1953 to 1954

Map showing proposed boundaries of Palmerston North city

Topographical map showing boundaries proposed by the Palmerston North City Council (August and November 1988) and Local Government Commission (Interim Determination and Draft, December 1988. In 1989 there was New Zealand wide reform of Local Gover...

Creator:      Palmerston North City Council (probably)
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          1988

Map of Palmerston North Borough - 1923

Map of Palmerston North Borough by H R Farquhar showing streets, landmarks and property sections.

Creator:      H R Farquar, Civil Engineer and Licensed Surveyor
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          1923

Flaxmills of Makerua Swamp

This hand-drawn map of the Makerua Swamp (now Opiki District) shows the approximate location of the flax mills that once operated on the banks of the Manawatu River.

Creator:      Ian Matheson
Place:          Opiki, Manawatu
Date:          1978

NZ Cadastral Map - Town Series: Palmerston North Map 2

Four first edition maps in a series covering Palmerston North and close environs. Map two covers Roslyn, Milson and Kelvin Grove areas of Palmerston North, and areas towards Bunnythorpe in Kairanga Council. Map shows: Section and Lot numbers of pr...

Creator:      Lands and Survey Department, New Zealand
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          September 1, 1960

Shell Map of Manawatu

This map was created for the Shell Company of New Zealand Ltd by Coulls Somerville Wilkie Ltd. Dunedin (Lithography) and Palmer and Mahood Ltd Wellington (Draughtsmen). It details the condition of all the major roads in the region, as well as amen...

Creator:      Shell Company of New Zealand Ltd
Date:          195X

The Papaiōea Clearing shown in relation to original streets of Palmerston North

Map of the Papaiōea Clearing shown in relation to the original streets of Palmerston North surveyed between 1866 - 1875. Based on Mitchell's map of 1866, Jackson's map of 1875 and Scott's map of 1881. The street names drawn on the map are present ...

Creator:      M B
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          October 1989

Maps relating to the Wellington & Manawatu Railway Company

Three maps pasted onto one sheet.


  1. Map of New Zealand, with some general statistics and a description of the country.

  2. "Thorndon Ward, City of Wellington, N.Z., Shewing Locality of Reclamation to be made by the Wellington & Manawatu Railway C...

Creator:      Wellington & Manawatu Railway Company
Place:          Lower North Island
Date:          1882 to 1887

Plan of land for sale in Shannon township and suburban lands

Land sale map of Shannon and the surrounding area, with land being offered for sale by the Wellington & Manawatu Railway Company.

Creator:      Wellington & Manawatu Railway Company
Place:          Shannon
Date:          1887

Map of portion of North Island affected by the Wellington & Manawatu Railway

The Wellington Manawatu Railway Company Limited constructed the rail line between Wellington and Palmerston, Which opened in 1886. The company ran the line until they sold it to the Government in 1908.

Also contains a sketch map of New Zealand sh...

Creator:      A Falkner for Wellington & Manawatu Railway Company
Place:          Lower North Island
Date:          1882

Fitzherbert Road Board District

This map is from a set of three cadastral maps for the former Fitzherbert Road Board. This board was established in 1889 to administer the land between the south bank of the Manawatū River and Tararua Range, formerly controlled by the Manawatū Roa...

Date:          1894

Aerial photo of Palmerston North in 1945 – no. 2 South-East quarter of City

A black and white aerial photograph of Palmerston North and some surrounding areas. This photo is part 2 of a set of 4. Streets, buildings and other landmarks are visible. The layout and extent of the City at this date can be clearly seen.

Creator:      Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington
Date:          November 18, 1945

City of Palmerston North District Planning Map

A district planning map for Palmerston North that became operative in June 1972. Shows district boundary, zoning, community uses of land and proposed streets. Has the Common Seals of the Mayor, Councillors and citizens of Palmerston North affixed....

Creator:      Palmerston North City Corporation
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          1971

Provisional Map of Oroua County

The map is inscribed with the printer’s code in the lower right-hand corner, which reads "1000.2.04.933" indicating that the map was issued in 1904 and 1000 copies were printed.

The Oroua County Council was first formed in 1883, but its powers we...

Creator:      Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington
Date:          1904

Provisional Map of Pohangina County

The Pohangina County Council was created in 1895 from the Pohangina Road Board and the part of the Oroua County that it covered. In 1989 Pohangina amalgamated with other councils to form the new Manawatū District Council.

This map features the pr...

Creator:      Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington
Date:          1903

Pohangina Survey District

The Pohangina County Council was created in 1895 from the Pohangina Road Board and the part of the Oroua County that it covered. In 1989 Pohangina amalgamated with other councils to form the new Manawatū District Council.

This map features the pr...

Creator:      Land and Survey Department, Wellington
Date:          1917

Map of areas East and South East of Palmerston North

This map has been created by collaging together cadastral maps of various boroughs and counties in the vicinity of Palmerston North, including the areas around Shannon, Foxton and Tokomaru.

Date:          1957

Fitzherbert Road Board District

This map is from a set of three cadastral maps for the former Fitzherbert Road Board. This board was established in 1889 to administer the land between the south bank of the Manawatū River and Tararua Range, formerly controlled by the Manawatū Roa...

Date:          1894

Fitzherbert Road Board District

This map is from a set of three cadastral maps for the former Fitzherbert Road Board. This board was established in 1889 to administer the land between the south bank of the Manawatū River and Tararua Range, formerly controlled by the Manawatū Roa...

Date:          1894

Sale of Land, Blocks V, VI, IX, X & XIII of Kairanga County

Land to be sold at the Public Hall, Palmerston (North) on Monday, 21 February 1881. Plan comprises portions of blocks V, VI, IX, X & XIII of Kairanga County. Surveyed by T M Drummond in 1878 and G W Thompson in 1880. Land composes the area now en...

Creator:      General Survey Office, Wellington
Place:          Kairanga
Date:          January 1, 1881