Explore - Manawatū Heritage

Palmerston North War Memorial, The Square

A war memorial to commemorate local soldiers who died in World War One was erected in the centre of The Square, Palmerston North, in 1926. The figure that sits atop the memorial was based on a similar one in Folkstone, England. Today it also comme...

Creator:      Unknown
Place:          The Square, Palmerston North
Date:          February 7, 1926

Palmerston North War Memorial, the Square

Creator:      Unknown
Place:          The Square, Palmerston North
Date:          February 7, 1926

Palmerston North War Memorial, The Square

Creator:      Crown Studios
Place:          The Square, Palmerston North
Date:          February 7, 1926

The Lakelet in the Square, All Saints

This image is believed to have been taken by Palmerston North Engineer Frank (Frances Leslie) Berry.

Visible in the background is All Saints Anglican Church, built in 1914 and the Grand Hotel constucted in 1906 by Trevor and Sons.

In the foregro...

Creator:      Berry Family
Place:          Corner of Church Street and The Square
Date:          1916 to 1918

Construction of the Civic Administration Building

Creator: James Lashbrooke, attributed to
Date: 1975 to 1976

Construction of the Civic Administration Building

Creator: James Lashbrooke, attributed to
Date: 1975 to 1976

Construction of the Civic Administration Building

Creator: James Lashbrooke, attributed to
Date: circa 1976

Construction of the Civic Administration Building

Creator: James Lashbrooke
Date: October 1976

Festival of Cultures

Creator: Ralph Body
Date: February 24, 2024

Cook Islands Stall, Festival of Cultures

Creator: Ralph Body
Date: February 24, 2024

New Year Greeting Postcard and Calendar

This postcard has an image of the middle of The Square surrounded by a calendar for the year 1911.

Creator: Aldersley Series
Date: 1910

Pavement Art in The Square

The Square was extensively remodelled for the 1971 centennial celebrations. Additions included a raised flower bed at the Fitzherbert Avenue end and the construction of the Centennial Pavilion.

This photograph was one of four scenes of Palmersto...

Creator:      Unknown
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          1971

The Square with Snow

Looking down Main Street West, Church Street West is on the far left, with All Saints Church on on side and the Grand Hotel on the other corner. The Coles building is on the corner of Main Street West and the Square. Built in 1903, it was pulled d...

Creator:      Unknown
Place:          The Square, Palmerston North
Date:          July 27, 1939

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

Festival of Cultures Lantern Parade 2018

Creator:      Jennie Gutry
Place:          The Square, Palmerston North
Date:          2018

"Relaxing in the Noonday Sun" Visitors in the Square

This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 13 February 1961: "Visitors to the city yesterday are here seen relaxing in the Square gardens and taking full advantage of the bright sunshine."

Creator:      Manawatu Evening Standard
Place:          The Square, Palmerston North
Date:          1961-02-13T00:00:00+00:00

Christmas lights in Palmerston North

A view past the fountains in the Butterfly lakelet, showing Christmas lights in Te Marae o Hine, The Square. In 1970, to mark Palmerston North's centennial, the Council arranged to purchase a section of the 1969 Light of London Christmas decoratio...

Creator: John Cleland
Date: 1970s

The Square, South West

This postcard has the message, "Will you send me a box of violets for Miss Fraser for the party if it is not too much trouble. Meta". It was addressed to Mrs HY Lethbridge, Ruatuangata, Wangeahu, Wanganui and postmarkes 4 J1 1904. To the left of t...

Creator:      Crown Studios
Place:          Palmerston North
Date:          circa 1904

Opening of the Lakelet in The Square

The lakelet was the main feature of the last quadrant of The Square to be developed by the Beautifying Society. James Nash, Mayor of Palmerston North, standing centre on the bridge, is opening the Lakelet before a crowd. The Lakelet is shaped as a...

Creator:      Unknown
Place:          The Square, Palmerston North
Date:          1909

Two women in The Square, T&G Building behind

Creator: Vera L McLennan-Boman, attributed to
Date: 1946 to 1954

Woman standing in front of the Buttlerfly Lake in The Square, All Saints' Church behind

Creator: Vera L McLennan-Boman, attributed to
Date: 1946 to 1954

Shops and offices on Church Street side of The Square

A view of the southern side of Te Marae o Hine, The Square. The establishments shown in this photograph include including the PDC department store (Premier Drapery Company Ltd), Pegdens (furniture store), Manawatū Oroua Electric Power Board and Fo...

Creator: Vera L McLennan-Boman, attributed to
Date: 1946 to 1954

Train passing through The Square in front of the Commercial Hotel

The third incarnation of the Commercial Hotel was built in 1935 on the corner of Main Street and Te Marae o Hine, The Square. It was demolished in 1986. After the Milson deviation was completed in 1960 and the new Railway Station opend in October ...

Creator: Vera L McLennan-Boman, attributed to
Date: 1946 to 1954

Te Peeti Te Awe Awe statue and Band Rotunda, Te Marae o Hine, The Square

Creator: Vera L McLennan-Boman, attributed to
Date: 1946 to 1954

Band Rotunda in The Square illuminated for Coronation Celebrations and Royal Visit

As part of the celebrations for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953, a large representation of the Crown of St Edward the Confessor was constructed ontop of the band rotunda in Te Marae o Hine, The Square. At night this was illuminat...