Description Comments

“Throwing Open The Doors”

Object type

Image

Description: This image was published in the May 7th, 1978, edition of the Tribune weekly newspaper.

An excerpt from the article read: “The National Mutual building will be open to the public today - and it's believed that this is the first time such a building in Palmerston North has been thrown open for the public's perusal. The doors of the $2.5 million structure, at the corner of Fitzherbert Avenue and The Square, will be opened to the public at 1.30 p.m., and will close again at 4.00 p.m. People making their inspection will be asked to make a small donation for the privilege, with proceeds going to the St John Ambulance Brigade. Mr J. A. Fitzmaurice, the brigade's district supervisor, said National Mutual make a practice of opening their new major buildings to the public for one specific charitable purpose.”

This image forms part of the Manawatū Evening Standard Negative Collection. Unfortunately, only negatives between April and December 1978 are held.

In 1978, when the National Mutual Life building was officially opened by the Prime Minister Robert Muldoon, it was the tallest office building in Palmerston North at 122 ft, comprising of 10 stories. The ground floor was occupied by shops and the Fitzherbert Avenue branch of the Bank of New Zealand. Car parking was provided in the basement. Rex Roberts Partnership designed the building and McMillan and Lockwood were responsible for the construction.