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 of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923 by HR Farquar, Civil Engineer and Licensed Surveyor.

The Taonui Basin lies between the Manawatū and Oroua rivers in Kairanga, on the Manawatū Plains. The plains are an ancient sea bed. Earth movement over millions of years shaped the sea bed into domes running roughly parallel with the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges. This, in turn, determined the way in which the Manawatū and Oroua rivers meandered.

The meandering of the rivers, particularly from Opiki to the sea, created lagoons and basins that became separate from the main flow when the rivers changed paths. In times of high rainfall, the Manawatū and Oroua rivers would overflow and the water, full of silty alluvium, became trapped in the basins, forming swamps. Taonui Swamp was among the largest of these.

Semi-swamp forest formed on the low lying land surrounding the swamp. It was dominated by Aotearoa New Zealand’s tallest native tree, kahikatea (white pine), and pukatea (Laurelia novae-zelandiae). Within the swamp was harakeke (flax) and raupō (Typha orientalis). The Taonui swamp had a plentiful supply of tuna (eels). The site was a major and important source of kai (food) and resources for Rangitāne and Ngāti Kauwhata.

The sale of Te Ahu a Tūranga Block, first offered to the government by Rangitāne rangatira, Te Hirawanui Kaimokopuna, in 1858, was finalised in 1864. Payment was made to Rangitāne, Ngāti Kauwhata and Ngāti Tumokai. To learn more about Te Hirawanui Kaimokopuna, look at Te Hirawanui Drive. To learn more about the sale, read these Back Issues articles, An anniversary with meaning for Manawatū by Toi Warbrick, and The trio who oversaw a momentous land sale by Virginia and Warren Warbrick. In 1867 the first sections were being sold in Karere.

When a survey of the Kairanga block was completed by Mr Thomas M Drummond in 1878, drainage was implemented. The land block adjoined the Taonui Swamp, which remained in Māori ownership. Kairanga County land sales were made in 1881.

Where Māori viewed the swamp with opportunities and benefits, settlers saw challenges. European farmers set about clearing vegetation and swamp forest in order to introduce paddocks of crops and livestock. This act of clearing resulted in higher incidence of flooding, the centre basin was open to water up to three quarters of the year. Finding drainage particularly difficult to maintain in winter, farmers also carried out their own drainage systems.

The deep drain originally cut through the centre of the block, joined up with the Te Puke Stream and emptied into the Taonui Swamp. It was after 1894, when the Manawatū Drainage Board straightened and deepened the main drainage outlets, that Taonui Swamp began to empty. As it emptied, harakeke and blackberry, the latter introduced by settlers, encroached. Eventually the food species completely disappeared and the forest almost followed.

There are two remnants of the semi-swamp forest today, Buchanan’s Bush (now Clausen’s) and Sutherland’s Bush. The forest that used to entirely surround the Taonui Basin can never be fully regenerated, as drainage has lowered the water table irreversibly. When the Clausen family purchased their dairy farm in 1979, they recognised the significance of the forest remnant. They fenced the 5-acre area of bush and spent a great deal of time and energy towards enabling the forest to regenerate and become healthy.

Sources

Heagney, G. (2023, September 11). With a name comes a kaupapa: The history of Māori names of significance in Feilding. Stuff NZ.
      https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300966028/with-a-name-comes-a-kaupapa-the-history-of-maori-names-of-significance-in-feilding

Knight, C. (2018). Ravaged beauty (2nd ed.). Totara Press.

History

Taonui Street was the first subdivision in the town, with the northern end (Featherston Street end) D.P.1, surveyed in 1872. The owner of this section, 301, was Mr William Henry Welch Haines. Through an oversight it was not dedicated until 1951. The southern end (Cuba Street end) D.P.16, was surveyed in 1874, being section 302, owner not stated. In 1878, twenty-eight chains (chain = 66 feet/20.12 metres) of the street was metalled.

Taonui Street was one of the first streets to have a continuous row of dwellings. By 1878 there were seven houses on the northern end and six on the southern.

In March of 1880, an application was made by Taonui Street ratepayers to have work done in a street leading on to Rangitikei Line. Likely Cuba or Featherstone Street (later called Featherston Street). The council agreed that if ratepayers carried out the work, they’d be reinstated once the borough had commensurate funds.

Meanwhile, on Taonui Street, there was a problem with water accumulating due to a depression in the lie of the land. This was reported to the Borough Council in May of 1881. By August, a plan was made to reform and regrade the road and footpaths. However, the works weren’t immediately carried out as Borough Engineer, Mr Edward John Armstrong, was experiencing challenges in response to tenders. It wasn’t until November of 1884 that water tables were made in the street, and stagnant water removed. Surface water was to remain an issue.

In August of 1883, councillor Walker proposed that owners of unfenced sections in Taonui Street receive notice to fence. Councillor Ferguson seconded the motion.

In the early 1880s the area around Taonui Street was known as the 'fashionable quarter' and had the nickname, "New Chum Town." Early residents certainly went on to become movers and shakers in the community. Over time the street lost its prestige. Taonui Street later acquired the name "Soapsuds Alley," because of the narrowness of the street and all the clotheslines strung up there.

The narrowness of Taonui Street was discussed regularly. In September of 1917, the council officially stated that the width of Taonui Street would not meet future requirements. Section 117 of the Public Works Act gave the council power to set frontages back to an appropriate distance. Almost a decade later, in April 1927, the council decided not to apply the Public Works Act to Taonui Street. As an alternative, consideration was given to compensating owners who were asked to set back their frontage.

The widening of Taonui Street was eventually carried out in the early 1960s, and a stormwater sump unit installed.

Residents made the council aware of problems or opportunities arising from businesses operating in, or nearby the street. In February of 1886, for example, councillor Snelson presented a petition from residents complaining of night soil contractors keeping their carts in the vicinity of houses.

The tarring and sanding of footpaths had just been completed, when, in February of 1905, herds of cattle and horses driven down the street, tore up the new walkways. While residents brought this to the council's attention, apart from regular upkeep, there wasn’t a solution. Taonui Street remained a recommended stock route.

By October of 1906 the main waterworks were completed, allowing Taonui Street residents to be connected. Two years later, all premises on Taonui Street were connected to the sewer.

From c. 1910 old houses in the street increasingly came under scrutiny. As the earliest residential street in Palmerston North, Taonui Street contained the oldest houses, some becoming increasingly derelict. Decisions were made in the ensuing years on whether such dwellings should be condemned and demolished.

This cottage, formerly 23 Taonui Street, was one of the earliest homes still standing in 1979. On its section was a 40-year-old pine which was recommended for inclusion in the city’s tree register. The cottage was on the City Council’s register of historic buildings. It was dismantled in 1980, by carpenter Mr Graham Norman, who planned to reconstruct the building in James Line. Mr Roy Mudgeway chopped down the pine before it was officially protected as one of the city’s notable trees.

In 1913 there was talk, initiated by a special committee appointed by the Borough Council, of changing the name from Taonui Street to Nelson Street. There was discussion in the Manawatū Standard on preservation of local Māori names, versus honouring the overseas hero of Trafalger. The local Māori name endured.

May of 1930 saw the street excavated to a new formation level, and metalled. A welcome move in reducing surface water. In March of 1933 the street was tar-sealed, which went a long way to mitigating the dust output from the previous metalled roadway.

Early residents, business, organisations and clubs included

For a comprehensive history of the street's development, businesses, and who lived there, take a look at the lecture notes of Brian Mather and supplementary material from the Palmerston North Historical Society, circa.
2006.

Renumbering

The addresses on Taonui Street were renumbered between 1936 and 1939. See p.258 and p.259 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.

Built Heritage Inventory

• The Palmerston North Working Men's Club, 1928 - the main entry was on Cuba Street with the lounge bar and some other spaces on Taonui Street. This building later became the Cosmopolitan Club, 95-103 Taonui Street.

Ian Matheson 12/9/1969 notes: This photograph was taken from either the footbridge over the railway lines or the signal box alongside the lines and looks eastwards towards the Square. The railway station (with roofed platform) can be seen on the left, directly opposite Roger Mulrooney’s Masonic Hotel (which is the building standing today, on part of section 340). Further along Main Street can be seen the three-storey Railway Hotel on the corner of David Street (section 338). This hotel building was erected in 1904-05, thus helping to date this photo. In the far distance (over the roof of the railway station) can be seen some scaffolding rising into the sky. This appears to be the Post Office Clocktower under construction which also helps to date this photo as 1905-06. In the centre distance can be seen the top of the Grand Hotel, a building which was erected in 1906. The railway siding in the left foreground crosses Main Street to a timber yard situated on section 342. The Station was established in 1889. On 1 June 1964 the last passenger excursion train left the Main Street Station. See the souvenir ticket for last excursion. On June 7 1965 the last goods train to ever pass through The Square traveled through. From 1964-68 all railway buildings were demolished and removed from the Main Street site.

Members of the Whakarongo Home Guard, which was set up during World War Two, sitting on the back of a truck and manning a checkpoint on the Ashhurst-Palmerston North road, near Raukawa Road. The man second from right is Arthur Koehler.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The first professional rugby match in New Zealand was played at the Palmerston North Showgrounds 1 March 1996 between the Wellington Hurricanes and the Auckland Blues.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The story of the Fitton family and a wedding dress made in 1869. The dress was worn by Isabella Fitton (née Alexander) when she married Matthew Fitton in Lyttleton. They moved to a farm in Beaconsfield, northern Manawatū, in 1885 and were married for nearly 67 years.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The life story of Danish immigrant Olga Monrad, née Berg (1843-1884). The Monrad family were early settlers in Karere, near Longburn.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. From 1885, property owners paid a special rate to support the poor in the community. Administering assistance for poor people from 1902 to 1930 was the job of the charitable aid inspector Mr Frederick Aisher. It was part of his job to minimise aid applications by ascertaining need and finding solutions for individuals. This included moving applicants on to other districts. Providing aid was discretionary. It included assistance with travel, firewood, rent and tightly controlled food rations.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Significance of Madge Allsop, born Marjorie Kiri McWhirter. Madge (played by actor Patricia Emily Perry) was a fictitious character invented by Australian satirist Barry Humphries in the 1980s. She acted as the long-time companion and former bridesmaid of his comedy charcter Dame Edna Everage. Madge was reported to have come from Palmerston North. In 1994 the Madge character was invited to return to the city for a promotional tour.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. History of the Chapel of St Michael the Archangel Orthodox church. After World War 2, a large group of displaced persons from Europe settled in Manawatū, bringing with them their own cultural and religeous beliefs. After the orthodox monastry in Kimbolton Road closed in 1980, the Kopytko family established an orthodox chapel on their property in Palmerston North. The chapel attracted a growing group of parishioners from the Soviet Union, the new Russia, the Balkans and other new independent states from that region. It operated up until 2013, when the house was sold.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. History of the Hoffman Kiln. One hundred and twenty years ago, Hoffman Oblong Continuous Kiln in Featherston Street was constructed to make bricks for new buildings and residential homes. Early Palmerston North was a city of wooden homes and structures. Fires were frequent and devastating. Hence in 1891, Palmerston North Borough Council passed a bylaw requiring buildings in the central business district to be built of brick. At its peak, the kiln produced 9000 bricks every day. It closed in 1959 and now stands as a Category 1 Historic Place.

Two houses on the south-western corner of Church and Albert Streets,, 2022. The house on the left was relocated.

(Photo taken through security fence)

Photo of the house at 512 Church Street before it was removed / demolished

This house sat empty across from 123 Albert Street. In it's last months, it was hit by an out-of-control car (hence the boards). It then burned down on the 30th of November 2022, and demolished soon after.

Photo showing the demolition of the Massey Vet Tower, November 2022

A community street piano on George Street, outside the Library, October 2019

 Photo showing the demolition of the Massey Vet Tower, November 2022 

 Image showing the partial demolition of the former Chief Post Office (High Flyers/The Daily),

Image showing the partial demolition of the former Chief Post Office (High Flyers/The Daily)

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 8th April 2025.   Became interested in pipe organs at an Upper Hutt church. The organist was an organ builder. Sung in the church choir and learned about the organ from the organist. He moved to Auckland in 1970 and started an apprenticeship with organ builders, George Croft & Son. He helped to rebuild the Auckland Town Hall organ. Also worked on smaller organs and designed organs. Pipes are made in England from tin and lead. Different percentages create different tones Computer type Cat 6 cables have replaced multi-stranded cables between the console and organ. Mechanical and pneumatic action became electronically controlled.  The acoustic properties of venues and cabinetwork must be considered in design. Planning is important because you don’t hear it until it’s finished. A voicer is employed to tune the pipes when they are installed in their final place. Organs are re-tuned once a year and need to be rebuilt occasionally. George worked on Auckland organs at Anglican Cathedral and St. Matthews in the city. He started his own business in 1984. Organs are custom built for the building where they will be located. 

 Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 22nd April 2025. Part 2 of 4.   As a signalman he travelled on a NZ Navy cruiser to Sydney, Newcastle and Darwin. In the Darwin harbour he saw many ships sunk by the Japanese during the second world war. Went to Singapore. It was very dirty. Patrolled off the west coast of Malaya. Went on to Manila with an Australian ship. More sunken ships in Manila harbour. Received a New Zealand Operational Services medal from NZ government. Experienced a typhoon in the South China Sea in the New Zealand – the worst storm he has ever been in. Returned to New Zealand via Singapore, Freemantle and Hobart. Larger ships had a Master of Arms who controlled discipline. His second trip was 14 months taking a cruiser to Britain. The ship was riddled with cockroaches. Returned to New Zealand with another ship.   

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 6th May 2025. Part 4 of 4.   Served 29 years in the New Zealand Navy. Toured the world and got paid for it. Was appointed to The Royalist (a light cruiser) on its maiden trip to New Zealand with a crew of about 550. Carried out acceptance trials in the English Channel. He was part of the guard who welcomed Queen Elizabeth II to Auckland. He played the bugle. Was also the bugler for the commissioning of HMNZS Royalist.then gave up playing the bugle. The Royalist was involved in the Suez War in 1956 until NZ prime minister Sidney Holland withdrew it. Received the New Zealand General Service medal. 

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 4th February 2025. Part 1 of 3.  Rosalie grew up in Brunswick near Whanganui and began to work on the family farm in the late 1940s. Went to Brunswick school which had 40 pupils. Milked two cows by hand after school and carried out other farm work while she was young. Dianne grew up on a dairy farm which also had pigs. Local farmers helped each other with haymaking etc. Dianne preferred town life rather than rural. Rosalie eventually moved to Stanway in the Manawatu.  Rosalie once fell in a sheep dip. She went home and had a shower. Her skin peeled off. Later changed to spraying the sheep. There were 800 Romney sheep. Farming became unprofitable so husband Brian worked in Feilding and Rosalie worked at Ashhurst school and farming became part time. Rosalie eventually went teaching. Opted to teach junior children.  Lived in a YWCA hostel and shared a room with three others.  Very soon met Brian who was to be her husband. He was an engineer. Went to country dances and dances at the Ballroom Astoria with a jazz band and a dance band.  

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 11th February 2025. Part 2 of 3.  It was possible to go to a country dance every week but not now. Ladies preparing supper looked after babies while other mothers danced. Suppers with homemade food were marvellous – cream sponges, pikelets, shortbread, brandy snaps. Country dances faded out and cabarets became common. Dresses used to have full skirts some with multi-layer petticoats. Mothers made dresses. Rosalie used to spin wool and knit it. It was a very busy rural life. She talks about feeding shearers and other contractors. Meat for meals was mostly grown on the farm – lamb. mutton, rabbits, poultry. Dad went fishing. Mother made brawn. No freezers. Meat was kept in a large tank which was cooled by water. Sharing and companionship was common in the rural communities. Rural Women’s Institute. Until Rosalie was 12 the family didn’t have a car and father used to bike 11 miles to town. Mailman delivered bread and groceries.  

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 18th February 2025. Part 3 of 3. Many farms had old equipment associated with horse drawn vehicles. Brian Hunter headed a committee to set up a museum. A museum was established in an old factory in Bowen Street, Feilding. The building was shared with Feilding & Districts Community Archive headed by Marilyn Wightman. They stayed at Bowen Street for about ten years but outgrew it. A large building in South Street, Feilding, became available. Higgins family helped to finance it. Developed into several themes including wool history, horse drawn vehicles and John Deere tractors. A large mural was painted on the outside wall showing the history of rural Manawatu. Patronage has increased since the Covid shutdown. Introduced practical demonstrations. Brian Hunter room established for meetings. Not many of the original members left but a younger group of retirees coming on now. 

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 25th February 2025. Part 1 of 2.  Born in Palmerston North and lived in Bunnythorpe until she was 19 years old then moved to Hawkes Bay to teach. Father worked at electricity sub station at Bunnythorpe. A lot of trains through Bunnythorpe. While at school she used to read to the junior school. She enjoyed it and decided she wanted to be a teacher. Went to Palmerston North teachers college in 1968/69 on the last two year course in NZ. Minimum qualification for teachers college was endorsed school certificate. Teachers college was in Princess Street where UCOL is. A lot of practical work in schools while training. Discusses various form of teaching maths and reading. Wendy taught year three and four students at Tikokino in Central Hawkes Bay. Taught at a two teacher school at Wimbledon in Tararua. Was acting principal at two schools in the late 70s. There were more women principals after the 1970s  

 Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 4th March 2025. Part 2 of 2.  She was bonded to the Ministry of Education for three years. She worked out her bond at Wimbledon then went to Norsewood in Hawkes Bay where she taught older children. Once a term there was a NZEI rural schools course in Dannevirke. Also other courses were available. City schools had more support from other teachers than she experienced at rural schools. Rural schools combined for sports fixtures. She left Hawkes Bay and went to teach at Karori Normal school in the mid 1980s. It had three sections and Wendy taught the middle school. Shifted to Palmerston North and relieved in schools teaching mainly new entrant classes. She experienced the change from three term years to four term years. She is still doing relief teaching. Has hobbies – crochet, embroidery, yoga, reading and is a member of U3A   

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 18th March 2025. Part 1 of 2.   Born on a dairy farm in Taranaki. Father joined the army. The family shifted to Waiouru and later transferred to Linton in 1960. He enjoyed growing up at the Waiouru military base. He attended Marist Brothers all boys high school (now St Peters) in Palmerston North until 1965. Played rugby, cricket, tennis, athletics and squash. In those days there was late night shopping on Friday and shops closed during the weekend. He became an electrical apprentice then worked at Dairy Research Institute as an instrumentation technician. He noticed a class distinction at work. Enrolled in a human development paper at Massey University and carried on to complete a bachelors degree and later became a lecturer in media studies. He found it rewarding. He completed a Masters degree on television news. Internet has made a difference to availability of news. TV news is a ‘sausage factory’ churning out news paid for by advertisers. Journalists tend to go into PR and become press agents for politicians. He became involved as a lighting electrician in live theatre – Centrepoint, Opera House and Regent Theatre. Toured Australia and New Zealand for a year with Jesus Christ Superstar then rejoined DSR in NZ.  

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 25th March 2025. Part 2 of 2.   Was an apprentice electrician in the late 1960s when he met his wife who was a member of the Palmerston North Operatic Society. Subsequently joined the PNOS and worked with lighting of productions then later at the Palmerston North Opera House. Lighting equipment in those days had no electronics so control boards were large and generated a lot of heat. He became the Opera House electrician and worked with travelling companies. It became a nightly job. He became the house electrician at the Regent Theatre as well as the Opera House. Travelled New Zealand and Australia as lighting technician with Jesus Christ Superstar. Was able to take wife and young son. Returned to New Zealand and became resident lighting designer at Centrepoint Theatre in Palmerston North for 31 years. Was on the Centrepoint board of trustees. Worked as an AV technician at Massey University at the same time. Completed a BA and MA degree in media studies. Became a tutor then a lecturer. Learned about creating sound tracks for feature films.    

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 1stApril 2025.  Margaret Stephens, Andrew Stephens, Anne Weir, Vicki Marie Buchanan, Alison Mildon, Stuart Birks.   A discussion about old cameras and photography. Illnesses including polio, rickets, tuberculosis and lead poisoning from the printing industry. A discussion about tools – water blasters, leaf blowers, battery tools, plug in tools. Gardens, insects and birds. Use of natural fertilisers. Cooking habits Trees