Street Names and Histories, Palmerston North

Provides the origins of street names in Palmerston North and examines street histories. Sources of information include: - The Ian Matheson City Archives, including Research Files compiled by: - AGS Bradfield - MA Sullivan - I Matheson - Road names from Land Administration Log, Palmerston North City Council. - Local history books from Local History Collection, Palmerston North City Library. - Historic reporting from Papers Past. - Built Heritage Inventory, Palmerston North City Council. - Birth, death & marriage historical records, New Zealand Government. - New Zealand passenger lists 1839-1974, Archives New Zealand. - Named person and/or whānau (family). This collection is a work in progress.

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Horses, soldiers, families and far-flung places

A presentation by Virginia Warbrick, revealing many of the meanings behind the street names of Awapuni and West End. This talk was delivered as part of Heritage Month, in March 2025. 

The talk was delivered at Boho Cafe, at an event...

Creator:      Virginia Warbrick
Place:          Awapuni, Palmerston North
Date:          March 20, 2025

Taonui Street, Name and History

Name: Taonui

Suburb, Palmerston North Central


Taonui Street is named for the Taonui Swamp. While the literal meaning is "big spear" or "big catch," it is a metaphor for an abundance of kai (food) and resources.

The image is a derivative ...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024

Back Issues: A pioneering town planner

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Life story of John Tiffin Stewart (1827-1913) town planner and government surveyor. He was responsible for the planning of Manawatū's towns in the 19th century, including the ...

Creator:      Tim Upperton
Place:          Manawatu-Whanganui
Date:          November 19, 2022

Back Issues: Cuba St key to city's early designs

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The story of Cuba Street and surrounding streets from Palmerston North's early days. The street was on the original Palmerston town plan. Its commercial heyday was arguably in...

Creator:      Lesley Courtney
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          January 27, 2024

‘Taonui, Lombard and Campbell Streets’

Taonui, Lombard and Campbell Streets are amongst the earlier streets settled in Palmerston North. Brian Mather, as a member of the Local History Study Group, gave a series of lectures to interested members. Later, his lecture notes on Taonui, Lomb...

Creator:      Brian Mather and the Palmerston North Historical Society
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          circa 2006

Origins of street names of Palmerston North

Typewritten list of the names of streets in Palmerston North and their origins, as in 1953. Includes some alterations and additions in the hand writing of A G S Bradfield. An amended version of this list was published in 'Forgotten Days' by Bradfi...

Creator:      A G S Bradfield
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          1953

Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New

This rates register details the renumbering of street numbers in Palmerston North between 1936 and 1939. The register shows the street name, old number, owner of property and new number. The renumbering runs along the entirety of one side of the s...

Creator:      Palmerston North City Council
Date:          1936 to 1980

Memory Lane - "Ruahine Street remembered with love"

Journalist Tina White's weekly "Memory Lane" article in the Manawatū Standard. The collection of shops and houses between St Mary's Church and number 89 Ruahine Street holds special memories for many citizens. In the 1950s and 1960s, there has bee...

Creator:      Tina White
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          February 20, 2021

Memory Lane - "What's in a (street) name?"

Journalist Tina White's weekly "Memory Lane" article in the Manawatū Standard. The 1926 land subdivision sale of RA McKenzie's Estate on Milson Line and the naming of Seaforth Avenue in a street naming competition.

Creator:      Tina White
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          August 24, 2019

Bourke Street, Name and History

Name: Bourke

Suburb, Palmerston North Central


In August 1969 it was reported in The Tribune, Central City Review, page 5, that Bourke Street, interchangeably called Burke Street, was named after roading contractor, Mr Bourke, who put th...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024

Te Hirawanui Drive, Name

Name: Te Hirawanui

Suburb, Whakarongo


The drive is named in honour of Te Hirawanui Kaimokopuna (c. 1808-1883). Te Hirawanui Kaimokopuna was ariki (hereditary high chief) of the hapū (kinship group) Ngāti Mutuahi, Te Rangiaranaki and Ngāti...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2025

Oakley Street, Name and History

Name: Oakley

Suburb, Palmerston North Central


Oakley Street is named in honour of Mrs Sarah Oakley (1854-1938), nee Hanlon, one of the town's earliest residents and land owners.

The image is a derivative of this <a href="https://manawat...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024

Three Paddock Lane, Name

Name: Three Paddock

Suburb, Fitzherbert


From 1871, Sir James Prendergast owned a large holding directly across the Manawatū River from Palmerston North. The lane is named for the three paddocks, that comprised the homestead block of this ...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024

David Street, Name and History

Name: David

Suburb, Palmerston North Central


This street is believed to be named after Mr David Joseph Nathan (1858-1920), sometimes described as the father of the dairying industry. Mr DJ Nathan may have also been the road contractor who...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024

Tukere Crescent, Name

Name: Tukere

Suburb, Whakarongo


The crescent is named for Tukere, Whakarongo's second husband. December 2022.

The aerial image is a derivative of the Palmerston North City Council online mapping Geographic Information System (GIS).

To l...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2025

Te Ara o Kawai, Name

Name: Te Ara o Kawai

Suburb, Whakarongo


The street is named for Te Ara o Kawai, the first wife of Korongawhenuai. December 2022.

The aerial image is a derivative of the Palmerston North City Council online mapping Geographic Information...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2025

Te Ara o Waihuri, Name

Name: Te Ara o Waihuri

Suburb, Whakarongo


The street is named for Te Ara o Waihuri. December 2022.

The aerial image is a derivative of the Palmerston North City Council online mapping Geographic Information System (GIS).

The Matai, Moea...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2025

Pokerekere Crescent, Name

Name: Pokerekere

Suburb, Whakarongo


The crescent is named for Pokerekere, Whakarongo's first husband. December 2022.

The aerial image is a derivative of the Palmerston North City Council online mapping Geographic Information System (GIS)...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2025

Rangeview Drive, Name

Name: Rangeview

Suburb, Whakarongo


The drive is named to acknowledge and highlight the view of the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges from the development. February 2020.

The aerial image is a derivative of the Palmerston North City Council onli...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024

Piwakawaka Lane, Name

Name: Piwakawaka

Suburb, Takaro


The lane is named for piwakawaka, the fantail. A native bird of Aotearoa New Zealand. December...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024

Korimako Lane, Name

Name: Korimako

Suburb, Takaro


The lane is named for korimako, the bellbird. A native bird of Aotearoa New Zealand. December 20...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024

Greenwich Way, Name

Name: Greenwich

Suburb, Fitzherbert


The name Greenwich acknowledges the importance of the Greenwich meridian which was used for worldwide time keeping and navigation from 1884 to 1974. This geographic reference line (0° longitude) passes ...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024

Kingfisher Close, Name

Name: Kingfisher

Suburb, Whakarongo


The close is named for kōtare, the kingfisher. A native bird of Aotearoa New Zealand, seen...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024

Magnolia Lane, Name

Name: Magnolia

Suburb, Whakarongo


The lane is named for a grove of magnolia trees that graced this area, prior to development. February 2020.

The aerial image is a derivative of the Palmerston North City Council online mapping Geographic...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024

George Street, Name and History

Name: George

Suburb, Palmerston North Central


George Street is named after the landowner and building contractor who put the street through, Mr George Frederick Roe (1837-1902).

The image is a derivative of this <a href="https://manawat...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024

Pascal Street, Name and History

Name: Pascal

Suburb, Takaro


This street is named for Mr Louis M Pascal who owned the land when the street was formed, D.P. 578, section 294. Borough rate books reflect that his brother, Mr Claude Marie Pascal, had section 294 under his n...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024

Cuba Street: Early Businesses, Organisations and Clubs

Name: Cuba

Suburb, Palmerston North Central


The image is a derivative of this City of Palmerston North District Planning Map from 19...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2025

Waldegrave Street, Name and History

Name: Waldegrave

Suburb, Palmerston North Central


This street is named for Mr John James Waldegrave, who owned the land. Mr JJ Waldegrave put through nine chains (chain = 66 feet/20.12 metres) from the Cuba Street end in 1875, D.P. 22, se...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          2025

Bryant Street, Name and History

Name: Bryant

Suburb, Takaro


The street was named for Mr Frederick Bryant, an early butcher and landowner in Palmerston North. He owned the land on which the original Bryant Street was formed. The street was extended in 1925, and <a href="...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2025

Andrew Young Street, Name and History

Name: Andrew Young

Suburb, Palmerston North Central


The street is named for Andrew Young (1833-1895), the owner-driver of the f...

Creator:      Heritage Team, Palmerston North City Library
Date:          2024