Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 5th August 2025. Part 1 of 3.   Emma came to New Zealand as a registered alien from Holland in February 1960 at age 19. Her sister had been in New Zealand since 1952 and married a Dutchman who cam...

Creator:      Stuart Birks
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          August 5, 2025

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Life story of Helen Urquhart, later Helen Zander (1905-1994). Born in Scotland, Helen was one of about 4500 British domestic servants who were sponsored free passage to travel...

Creator:      Kerry Betthel
Date:          January 1, 2022

Journalist Tina White's weekly "Memory Lane" article in the Manawatū Standard. Three handwritten letters, written by Tokomaru farmer Edward Griffiths to friends in England, have been donated to the Ian Matheson city archives. The letters describe ...

Creator:      Tina White
Place:          Manawatū
Date:          June 5, 2021

This picture is thought to be of Edward Andersen Laurvig and family, of Norsewood. Edward and his wife Karoline "Lena" (nee Sorensen), arrived in New Zealand in 1872 from Larviken, Norway onboard the "Hovding". Lena died 2 July 1879 aged 32 whilst...

Creator:      Charles Mariboe
Place:          Manawatu
Date:          circa 1883

Harry Littlejohn was a Scotsman who came to New Zealand from Lochgelly, Fifeshire, during the 1880s. He worked as a watchmaker and jeweller in Wellington with his Uncle, William Littlejohn. Sometime after that point, he started a business in Palme...

Creator:      Unknown
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          circa 1890 to circa 1909

This family is thought to be the Scandinavian family of Daniel Johansen, listed in the Post Office Directories for 1885-6 and 1901-2. Far right, with a horse is Bernt Johansen.

Creator:      Unknown
Place:          Manawatu
Date:          circa 1900