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. 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.

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".

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"

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.

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 Palmerston North, Feilding, Rongotea and Halcombe town squares.

Born in Scotland, he moved to Foxton in 1864. He learnt to speak te reo Māori fluently and worked closely and respectfully with local iwi. In later years, he moved to Whanganui, where he was elected to the Borough Council.

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.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. In the 1880s, fire was a tool and a threat in the Manawatū. Trees were felled to meet demand for timber, leaving stumps for years which presented a fire danger. In addition, controlled intentional burnoffs of bush were held to clear the land. These did not always go well, causing uncontrolled bush fires. Drought conditions and grass fires, fanned by strong winds, led to widespread fires that threatened wooden residential properties. The volunteer fire brigade, officially formed in 1887, was to become an important community resource.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The life story of Rangitāne wahine Erini Te Awe Awe, circa 1826-1925.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. On 12 February 1990, Queen Elizabeth II visited Linton Army Camp, part of a two week royal tour that marked New Zealand's 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

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. From 1935, Massey University capping traditions included a students procession from the University campus to Marae o Hine/The Square. Locally known as Procesh, students built floats which reflected social commentary of the day, often delivered in satirical fashion. A feature of the event was a street collection to raise funds for charities. Student behaviour during capping week became rowdier by the 1960s, resulting in criticism from the public. The last Procesh was held in 1987.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The first mobile library service was delivered from a caravan to locations around Palmerston North. It was seen as a more efficient way of delivering library books than maintaining a range of branch libraries. The caravan was replaced by a bus in 1973, carrying half its stock for children and half for adults.
The bus has been upgraded several times. In 2023 the Mobile Library carries 7000 items and visits 33 stops each week.

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. 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. Electric vehicles were popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries before they were replaced by more flexible petrol powered machines. The Rongotea Co-op Dairy Company used Chicago built Walker electric trucks from 1917 to 1935. The council also used and promoted electrically powered vehicles from the 1920s to the mid 1930s.

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. From 1948 to 1968, the visits of the Fiji cricket team were widely anticipated in New Zealand. The team played on four occasions in Palmerston North. The Fiji style of cricket was exciting and described as attractive crowd pleasing cricket. The last game between Fiji and Manawatū in 1968 was attended by a large crowd at Fitzherbert Park and won by the home team.

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. 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. The establishment and development of the railways have been very important for the development of Manawatū and Palmerston North. The first connections were from Foxton through to Whanganui in the 1870s. The Wellington and Manawatū Rail Company Line opened in 1886. For many years it was the principal means of freight transport and connection with the outside world. Running through the central city until 1964, the railway was a visible and important part of people's daily lives.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The history of an overlooked, forgotten piece of wood in Coleman Place, just off Te Marae o Hine/The Square. For 125 years, an old telegraph pole has remained as a reminder of past times and technologies.

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.

A commemorative edition in the Manawatū Standard marked the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 9 September 2022.