Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The teaching and learning of te reo and te ao Māori in schools from late 19th century to early 20th century.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. On 16 June 1980, 15 people with signage worded "Remember Soweto" held a silent vigil in Te Marae o Hine/The Square to protest violent events in South Africa. Whilst the anti-apartheid protests of the early 1980s throughout the country were frequently marred with conflict and violence, protests in Palmerston North were often silent and peaceful.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. History of the reserve near Massey University campus entrance, named after Governor General Lord Bledisloe in 1933. With its bush walks and swimming holes, the park has proved to be a popular recreation destination for families.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Rostrata private maternity hospital ushered thousands of Palmerston North babies into the world 1918-1962. Named after a large red gum tree on the site (eucalyptus rostrata), it was situated on a one acre section on the corner of Ruahine and Ferguson Streets. For many years its homely care was a popular maternity option. When Palmerston North Hospital opened its new 40 bed maternity section in March 1962, Rostrata was no longer required. The buildings were sold and converted into flats before being demolished in 1973.

This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 10 July, 1959. "This could well be the naughty nineties, but it is not. It is the fancy dress party held at the Girls' High School last night for the third and fourth forms. Only girls attended the party and shown above are two girls as they perform the Charleston in front of an appreciative audience." Another photo associated with this article was unpublished on the same day.

The two girls dancing have been identified as Heather Mence (left) and Jennifer Barnett (right).

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. History of Parahaki Island. Approximately 10 hectares, it is located at the confluence of the Pohangina and Manawatū rivers. It is a significant site for mana whenua. It was historically used as a seasonal kāinga (dwelling), mahinga kai (food-gathering place) and urupā (burial ground/graveyard).

The island remains Māori freehold land and was vested with Te Āpiti Ahu Whenua Trust​ in 2018. The Trust works to manage and protect the island’s wāhi tapu, cultural sites and values.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Fizzy cordial drinks were a popular beverage in the late 19th century. From 1875, several local manufacturers competed for customers. Joseph Bell and Co set up a factory in Rangitikei Street and found their market niche selling mineral water. Intellectual property was jealously guarded. One manufacturer, Edward Shepherd threw suspicion on the town's water supply, insinuating that it was safer to drink his sugary product.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. On 22 May 1934, the unemployed and their supporters gathered in Te Marae o Hine/The Square for what became a significant episode in Palmerston North's working-class history. Large crowds were attracted by the presence of Prime Minister George Forbes. Government policy changes that followed this demonstration was claimed by some sections of the Unemployed Workers' Movement as "a great victory".

This photograph was taken by a Manawatū Evening Standard photographer on 2 December 1990, but never published.

Palmerston North hosted the Special Olympics National Summer Games from 30 November to 2 December 1990. Popular entertainer, Howard Morrison, performed at the closing ceremony held at the Palmerston North Showground Oval after arriving at the venue by helicopter.

This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 2 April 1971. 'The former director of the Manawatu Art Gallery, Mr I. E. North, hangs one of the paintings in the Centenary exhibition, which will be on display for three weeks, until April 23.'

Ian North (1945-2024) was the director of the Manawatū Art Gallery from July 1969 to May 1971. He left Palmerston North to take up a curatorial position at the Art Gallery of South Australia. North would achieve renown in Australia as an artist, curator, writer and academic.

The Centenary Exhibition was a major exhibition of contemporary New Zealand art organised as part of Palmerston North’s centennial celebrations. North is shown holding Michael Smither's painting Sarah with Yellow Ball (1971), which the gallery acquired from the exhibition.

This photograph was taken for the story 'Bravery, determination and selflessness to fore' that ran in the Manawatū Evening Standard on 3 December 1990.

Palmerston North hosted the Special Olympics National Summer Games from 30 November to 2 December 1990.

This photograph was taken for the story 'Bravery, determination and selflessness to fore' that ran in the Manawatū Evening Standard on 3 December 1990.

Palmerston North hosted the Special Olympics National Summer Games from 30 November to 2 December 1990.

This photograph was taken for the story 'Bravery, determination and selflessness to fore' that ran in the Manawatū Evening Standard on 3 December 1990.

Palmerston North hosted the Special Olympics National Summer Games from 30 November to 2 December 1990.

This photograph was published in the Manawatū Evening Standard on 3 December 1990 as part of a group of photographs documenting the Special Olympics National Games. It appeared with the caption: 'Wanganui gymnast Glen Nerney on the parallel bars at the Pascal Street Stadium yesterday. Nerney finished third on the bars and won the gold medal on the vault after scoring a perfect 10.'

Palmerston North hosted the Special Olympics National Summer Games from 30 November to 2 December 1990.

This photograph was published in the Manawatū Evening Standard on 3 December 1990 as part of a group of photographs documenting the Special Olympics National Games.

Palmerston North hosted the Special Olympics National Summer Games from 30 November to 2 December 1990.

This photograph was published in the Manawatū Evening Standard on 3 December 1990 as part of a group of photographs documenting the final day and closing ceremony of the Special Olympics National Games.

Palmerston North hosted the Special Olympics National Summer Games from 30 November to 2 December 1990.

This photograph was published in the Manawatū Evening Standard on Tuesday 4 December 1990.

Palmerston North hosted the Special Olympics National Summer Games from 30 November to 2 December 1990.

This photograph was taken by Manawatū Evening Standard photographer Maurice Costello, but not used. A different image of the same people was published on Tuesday 4 December 1990.

Palmerston North hosted the Special Olympics National Summer Games from 30 November to 2 December 1990. John Bos and Joe Bain were multiple medal winners in these competitions.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Manufacturing fairs were held in Palmerston North Showgrounds in 1960, 1961 and 1964. The 1960 Palmerston North Industries Fair attracted 93,000 visitors in its 10 days of industrial displays and carnival events. The popularity of the fairs reflected a tremendous optimism regarding Palmerston North's potential as a hub of industry.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Around the beginning of the twentieth century horse drawn transport was common. In Te Marae o Hine/The Square, hitching rails with posts were erected for horses so that their owners could transact business in the central township. The rails were removed in the early 1900s, but a reducing number of hitching posts were used for tethering horses for several more decades. One post now remains (2023), opposite the Fitzherbert corner. It has heritage protection, Category 2 status with Heritage NZ and Category 1 status with Palmerston North City Council.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The history of Drysdale sheep. The breed was developed at Massey Agricultural College from 1931 by Dr Francis Dry. It derives from sheep of the New Zealand Romney breed in which a mutation caused the coat to be particularly hairy, and thus suitable for commercial carpet-making. It became a specialised carpet wool breed. In 1961-62 wool carpet production using Drysdale wool was established under Massey University's control.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The history and significance of the concourse, the central pedestrian thoroughfare at Massey University Palmerston North campus.

This article was inadvertently not published completely in hard copy print. Additional text concluding the article was published online on the Stuff news website and is reprinted here:

(The university community has though) "faced its fair share of challenges, including grappling with the impact of the Voluntary Student membership (VSM) bill passed in 2011.
Additionally, the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly affected student life on campus. The concourse, once bustling with activity, experienced periods of emptiness as lockdowns and restrictions disrupted the usual flow of university life.
The post-pandemic slump in student enrolments has led to the concourse and campus appearing much emptier than before.
The university's students and staff have adapted with resilience, finding creative ways to maintain a sense of community and connection despite the challenges.
With hope, as student numbers start to increase, the campus that was initially conceived to cater for around 10,000 students, and its concourse, will start humming with life again.
Louis Changuion is the archivist at Massey University"

Three barefoot, bareback riding boys. Horse paddock, Carnarvon School, 1959.

Stan Holmes was Headmaster of Carnarvon School from 1955-1961. He was a keen photographer and these are his photos taken during those years.

This image was published in the Manawatu Evening Standard on 21 May 1963. It shared a caption with another image, which read: "When the school vacations arrive children find many and varied things to do. In these pictures can be seen four children who found activities to keep them occupied, at least for a day. With bows and arrows are 10-year-olds D. Vukcovic, of Palmerston North and W. Robinson, of Ashhurst. The boys made their weapons themselves. Brother and sister G. and J. Rogerson also try their skills on stilts made by their grandfather."

The two children are Janet and Gavin Rogerson, standing outside their home in Franklin Avenue.

Newbury School class photo with teacher Alison Weld, 1966.

Stan Holmes was teaching at Newbury School and living in the school house next door from 1961 until he retired in c.1974. He was a keen photographer and these are his photos taken during those years.

Parents at Newbury School picnic held at the Victoria Esplanade in 1967.

Stan Holmes was teaching at Newbury School and living in the school house next door from 1961 until he retired in c.1974. He was a keen photographer and these are his photos taken during those years.

These images were taken for a story that appeared in the Manawatu Evening Standard on 17 December 1992, but were not printed. Another image was published instead.

This image was published in the Manawatu Evening Standard on 17 December 1992.

This image was taken for the story 'New Art Gallery Director' that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 2 April 1971. It shows Luit Bieringa, who had just been appointed the new director of the Manawatū Art Gallery.

Liut Bieringa (1942-2022) was director of the Manawatū Art Gallery from 1971 to 1979. He was subsequently appointed director of the National Art Gallery in Wellington, serving in this role from 1979 to 1989.

The painting behind Bieringa is Earth Emblem II (1965) by Milan Mrkusich.

Stan Holmes was teaching at Newbury School and living in the school house next door from 1961 until he retired in c.1974. He was a keen photographer and these are his photos taken during those years.