Manawatū Heritage

Te Marae o Hine / The Square

The Square Palmerston North from second floor Palmerston North Central Library

Harakeke Placing

Anzac Day 2016 - 2000 flax poppies were woven by the community and placed around the War Memorial in The Square.

Film of Palmerston North Events from the 1930s

This video shows local events that took place in Palmerston North in the mid 1930s. Subjects include chariot racing, fun in the Esplanade, an unidentified parade (probably the 50th jubilee of Palmerston North in 1937) and marching group and the footage of a Springbok vs Manawatu match. NOTE: There is no audio to accompany this footage.

Ashhurst Post Office Building Centenary

On the occasion of the Ashhurst (former) Post Office building's centenary. The building is now used as the town library. In this photograph a man is climbing a ladder to the flag pole on the building.

Coalition Against The Tour - Finding Aid

The Coalition Against The Tour group came out of the Community Volunteer group. The group was formed 15 March 1985, to protest against the proposed tour of the All Blacks rugby team to South Africa. Series 1: Minutes Series 2: Organisational Information Series 3: Correspondence Series 4: Financial Series 5: Newsletters Series 6: Press Releases Series 7: Supporting Organisations Series 8: Supporting Information Series 9: Newspaper Clippings Series 10: Posters and Flyers

C. E. Warburton Papers - Finding Aid

This archive is held in the Ian Matheson City Archives in Palmerston North. To view items or ask questions, please contact heritage@pncc.govt.nz. For a complete listing of processed archives held by the Ian Matheson City Archives, please search the databases available at http://archives.palmerstonnorth.com/

New Family residence, Totara Road

George New was a successful trainer of horses c 1926 - 1950, in Totara Road, Awapuni, then part of Maxwell’s Line. The property burnt down c 1950, and George New retired to Levin. The property was then purchased by the Palmerston North City Council.

Palmerston North 75th Jubilee Celebrations

Palmerston North held its 75th Jubilee Celebrations during the week of 15th March 1952. The guard on the right may be Mr C White. These gentlemen are taking part in a re-enactment of the first train arriving in the town, which was a feature of the Jubilee celebrations.

Drawing of "Hydrabad March 1884"

Drawing of the ship "Hydrabad" grounded on the beach. The drawing is in pencil and water colour. Drawn on paper measuring 27 x 17.5 cm. While the artist is unknown, they were gifted to the donor by the son of J. T. Stewart, Government Surveyor.

Drawing of "Taranaki from seawards 1858"

Drawing entitled "Taranaki from seawards 1858", handwritten on the back. It depicts two sailing ships, with Taranaki, including Mount Taranaki, in the background The drawing is in ink and water colour. Drawn on card measuring 27 x 5.5 cm. While the artist is unknown, this drawing was gifted to the donor by the son of J. T. Stewart, Government Surveyor.

Drawings of two Maori carved figures

Drawings of two Maori carvings. There are also some faint pencil markings that may indicate that this drawing was not completed. The drawings are in pencil, ink and water colour. Drawn on paper measuring 20.5 x 13 cm. While the artist is unknown, they were gifted to the donor by the son of J. T. Stewart, Government Surveyor.

Drawing of Maori meeting house

Drawing of a Maori meeting house, with man and dog, possibly at Puketotora or Raukawa Pa. It is not signed but handwriting on the back says, "Drawn by R Grindell Manawatu 1859". The drawing is in ink and water colour. Drawn on card measuring 27 x 18 cm. While the artist is unknown, this drawing was gifted to the donor by the son of J. T. Stewart, Government Surveyor.

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.

Man in Makerua flax swamp, near Shannon

Miranui Flaxmill was owned by A & L Seifert Flaxmilling Company Ltd and opened in 1907. This view looks eastwards with the Tararua Ranges in the background. the flax, sourced from the swamp, was taken by tram to the mill for processing.

Diary of an itinerant farm worker

This "McDougall Farmers' Notebook 1935-36" was used as a diary by an unknown farm worker who went on 'Tour of N.I.', beginning 15 October 1935 (first entry). He travelled from Blenheim, and records his holiday, mainly in the Hawkes Bay and Giborne areas, and employment at Hore Hore Station near Tokomaru Bay. It is likely that the writer was J. Lane, named in the front cover, and also listed at the top of the 'Addresses' page. The last entry appears to be 18 December 1936, but a subsequent note records 'Drowened (sic) Easter 1939'. The Poverty Bay Herald (18 April, 1938, page 4) writes of the drowning of Joffre Lane, a station hand at Hore Hore Station.

Ashhurst Bridge piles

The piles being lowered into position during the construction of the second Ashhurst Bridge, which crossed the Manawatu River at the lower end of the Manawatu Gorge. The first was washed away in 1895 and due to disputes its replacement was not opened until 1909.

Ashhurst Bridge construction

This was the second Ashhurst Bridge to cross the Manawatu River at the lower end of the Manawatu Gorge. The first was washed away in 1895 and due to disputes its replacement was not opened until 1909.

Upper Manawatu Bridge

The Upper Manawatu Bridge taken at the Woodville end of the Manawatu Gorge Walk. Taken on 15 July 2017 while the Gorge Road was closed due to a large slip and 1 day after a large southern storm had passed over the country. Gorge Road has now been closed permanently.

Ashhurst Bridge

This was the second Ashhurst Bridge to cross the Manawatu River at the lower end of the Manawatu Gorge. The first was washed away in 1895 and due to disputes its replacement was not opened until 1909. It was replaced in 1969 by a concrete structure.

The Lakelet bridge

Lakelet in the Square, looking towards the Post Office, with the bridge on the right and – just visible on the left – part of the second bandstand. The two figures on the bridge look as if they may be soldiers. The picture was sent by Jane Moore Chapman to her grand-daughter Beryl with a message on the back that indicates it was written in 1922.

Raumai Bridge

Original Wooden Raumai Bridge before demolition

Brightwater Terrace bus shelter

Painting of Brightwater Terrace, Palmerston North, showing house and bus shelter. Pen and wash. Colour. John Tetley was a parasitologist at Massey Agricultural College and a well known amateur artist who exhibited locally.

Forty Years of Centrepoint Theatre: The History According to Hawes

Drawing of carved palisade posts at old pa, Wairarapa

A drawing by J T Stewart who was the District Engineer of the Public Works Department. Drawing shows two carved palisade posts in old pa, in bush at Wairarapa. Entitled "Figure in old Pa Wairarapa 1862". The drawing is in pencil and water colour. Drawn on paper measuring 24 x 16.5 cm, held in oval matt board and unvarnished wooden frame.