Explore - Manawatū Heritage

Richard Sadler Smith with members of his family

Richard Sadler Smith was born in England on 15 February 1846 and married Jessie Philbrick. The couple had five children: Jessie Emma, Richard Valentine Philbrick, Sydney William, Charlotte May and Samual Hooper Smith. After the family migrated to ...

Date: 1890 to 1903

Looking East across The Square towards Main Street

A view of the Coronation Fountain, with the Chief Post Office behind. The fountain was built in 1902 to mark the coronation of King Edward VII. It was initially located near the centre of Te Marae o Hine, The Square, but was relocated to the north...

Creator: K. H. Shea

Date: circa 1937

Group discussion, photography, gardens, birds

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, ...

Creator:      Stuart Birks
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          April 1, 2025

Colour Postcard of The Square from Church Street West to Main Street West

This postcard of the Square shows the South side of the Square, from Church Street West to Main Street West. The buildings, from left, are: the old All Saints Church, The Grand Hotel, The Daily Times, Watchorn's Jewellers, R Hannah Bootmaker, Will...

Creator:      W Park No W P 10
Place:          The Square, Palmerston North
Date:          circa 1906 to circa 1910

Floral Clock in The Square

Gardeners working on the floral clock in The Square. Located opposite the Post Office, the clock was erected in 1971 to commemorate Palmerston North's centenary.

Creator:      Colin Rush
Place:          The Square, Palmerston North
Date:          1990s

PalmyProud issue seventeen: 2023

PalmyProud celebrates the people, places and events in our city. The free quarterly magazine aims to inspire locals and visitors to learn more about this special place we call home. It’s published by Palmerston North City Council.

Creator:      Palmerston North City Council
Place:          Manawatū
Date:          2023

Square Circular - March 2009

The Square Circular was Palmerston North City Council's monthly community publication, informing Palmerstonians of PNCC initiatives, activities, and events. This month's issue includes: roundabouts in The Square, 10 year plan audit, garden beds, d...

Creator:      Palmerston North City Council
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          March 2009

Sunken garden in The Square.

This photograph was taken by Alf and Merlyn Drew, to test equipment for their business, Photo Instruments Limited which operated at 55 Princess Street from 1959-1989.

Creator:      Alf or Merlyn Drew
Place:          The Square, Palmerston North
Date:          1980s

Sunken garden in The Square

This photograph was taken by Alf and Merlyn Drew, to test equipment for their business, Photo Instruments Limited which operated at 55 Princess Street from 1959-1989.

Creator:      Alf or Merlyn Drew
Place:          The Square, Palmerston North
Date:          1980s

Films of Rod Matheson - 'City of wheels', Matheson Family and miscellaneous images of Palmerston North

"A film believed to have been taken by Rod Matheson.

00:00 - 4:15 - 'City of Wheels'

4:16 - 815 - Family images. The film cannister index reads: ""Rachel, Judy. Tony, 277 College Street, the Clothiers, Bill Davis, Jim Hollis, Cat Mercer, Moving ...

Creator:      Rod Matheson
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          1960s

Caretaker's house, Victoria Esplanade

Development began on the Victoria Esplanade in Palmerston North, named to mark Queen Victoria's 60th jubilee, in 1897. The caretaker's house, facing onto Fitzherbert Avenue, was (probably) built in the 1920s.

Creator:      Whalley and Co., Crown Studios,
Place:          Victoria Esplanade, Palmerston North
Date:          circa 1930

Tea Kiosk, Victoria Esplanade

Development began on the Victoria Esplanade in Palmerston North, named to mark Queen Victoria's 60th jubilee, in 1897. The tea kiosk was built in 1909, with the lattice work added later, before 1917. It was demolished in 1943,

Creator:      G F Framjee
Place:          Victoria Esplanade, Palmerston North
Date:          circa 1939

Woman Walks through Garden - Albert Park

This photograph was created by William James Young in the early 20th century. A large variety of subjects are depicted in the collection, but family, rural life and travel are the most prominent theme...

Creator:      William James Young
Place:          Unknown
Date:          1900 to 1932

Aerial View of Te Marae o Hine / The Square

This aerial view of Te Marae o Hine / The Square illustrates the distinct quadrant layout, originating from when Te Marae o Hine / The Square was four quadrants and a central strip separated by roads. Broadway corner is at top left and Coleman Mal...

Creator:      Royal New Zealand Airforce
Place:          The Square, Palmerston North
Date:          1980s

Memory Lane - "City's beautiful oasis"

Journalist Tina White's weekly "Memory Lane" article in the Manawatū Standard. The origins of Massey Agricultural College gardens and homesteads, and the significant people associated with the development of the grounds and homes. Many of the hist...

Creator:      Tina White
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          February 1, 2020

"Taking Advantage Of The Sun" [The Esplanade]

This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard 5th January, 1963. "With beautiful sunny weather for the holidays, Miss L. Morpeth, of Palmerston North (left), took her friend from Whangarei, Miss K. Mulholland, to the s...

Creator:      Manawatu Evening Standard
Place:          The Esplanade, Palmerston North
Date:          January 5, 1963

Measured 2ft 7in" [Woman with parsnip]

This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 12 June, 1963. "This parsnip weighing 5 lb and measuring 2 ft 7 in was grown by Mr M. Fifield, of Union Street, Palmerston North. Mrs Fifield found it a little difficult...

Creator:      Manawatū Evening Standard
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          June 12, 1963

"Won Garden Competition"

This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 17 December 1962, "Mrs E. V. McKay's love of gardening has won for her first placing in the Hokowhitu garden competition. Entries were judged as they looked from the ro...

Creator:      Manawatu Evening Standard
Place:          30 Lincoln Terrace, Palmerston North
Date:          December 17, 1962

"Last Minute Rush with Gardens" for the Royal Show

This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 3 November, 1959. "The gardens at the entrance to the Showgrounds will be at their peak for the Royal Show which opens on Thursday. The cutting of the lawns is always a...

Creator:      Manawatu Evening Standard
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          November 3, 1959

"Keeping Up High Standard" Esplanade Gardens

This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 11 February 1961: "Always a source of delight, the parks and reserves in Palmerston North are maintained by a band of men who must take great pride in their work. Here a...

Creator:      Manawatu Evening Standard
Place:          The Esplanade, Palmerston North
Date:          February 11, 1961

Coronation Fountain, The Square

Photo taken by Terry Finnerty, photographer. Shows the King Edward VII Coronation Fountain in The Square. The Coronation Fountain was built in 1902, in the middle of The Square. It was shifted to this location in 1926, to allow the Cenotaph to tak...

Creator:      Terry Finnerty
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          circa 1960

Flower gardens in The Square

Flower garden on the Square, on the corner of Main Street. Beyond can be seen the Chief Post Office on the left and the Telecom tower and the Public Library on the right.