Palmerston North

Palmerston North Te Papa-i-oea (Māori)
Country:	New Zealand
File:Palmerston North.PNG
Co-ordinates:	40°21.3′S 175°36.7′E
Population:	75,800 (urban) 75,800 (territorial) (2006 Census - provisional)
Urban Area
Extent:	N to Mangaone Stream & Kairanga-Bunnythorpe Rd NE to Ashhurst; SW to Linton military camp, SH 57
Territorial Authority
Name:	Palmerston North City
Mayor:	Jono Naylor
Extent:	NW to Cloverlea, Milson and airport; NE to Ashhurst; SW to Linton; S & SE to Tararua Ranges
Land Area:	336km²
Website:	http://www.pncc.govt.nz
See also:	Manawatu District, Horowhenua
Council Contacts
Street Address:	Civic Centre, The Square Palmerston North
Postal Address:	P.Bag 11034 Palmerston North
Regional Council
Name:	Manawatu-Wanganui (Horizons Regional Council)
Website:	http://www.horizons.govt.nz

Palmerston North (Māori: Te Papa-i-oea) is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is an inland city with a population of approximately 75,800 , Palmerston North is currently the eleventh largest city in the country, and the centre of the seventh largest urban area. A large proportion of its population consists of students attending Massey University, Universal College of Learning (UCOL) and International Pacific College during the student year.

The city was first named "Palmerston" in honour of Viscount Palmerston, a former Prime Minister of Great Britain. However, the suffix "North” was added in 1871 by the Postal Service in order to distinguish the settlement from Palmerston in the South Island. Locals frequently refer to the city simply as "Palmy".

The Māori transliteration of Palmerston North is "Pamutana", however, this is largely unused, with Papa-i-oea being the preferred option, e.g. Te Kura Kōhine o Papaioea (Palmerston North Girls' High School) or Te Hohipera o Papaioea (Palmerston North Hospital). Papa-i-oea is widely believed to mean "How beautiful it is" [1]. The Māori name for the Square is Te Marae o Hine.

Geography

Palmerston North covers an area of 32,594 hectares and one million people live within a two hour (200km) radius. The city is situated about 140 km north of the capital, Wellington, in the eastern part of the Manawatu Plains, and close to the northern bank of the Manawatu River. It is 35 km from the river's mouth and 12 km from the end of the Manawatu Gorge.

The official limits of the city also take in rural areas to the south and northeast of the main urban area, extending to the Tararua Ranges and including the town of Ashhurst at the mouth of the Manawatu Gorge. This is a rich and fertile agricultural area. The city as a whole covers some 350 km².

Physical environment

Land Area : 32,594 Hectares (includes the communities of Ashhurst, Aokautere, Whakarongo, Linton and the Palmerston North urban area.)

Area In Public Reserves : 554 Hectares

Highest Point (Elevation): 760 Metres Above Sea Level (In The Ranges South East of Scotts Road)

Lowest Point (Elevation) : 10 Metres Above Sea Level (Riverbank Near Te Puna Road)

Typical Urban Area Elevation : 20 – 40 Metres

Length Of River (Within City Boundary) : 29.9 km (Manawatu River) & 2.6 km (Pohangina River)

Climate

Palmerston North's climate is temperate with daytime temperatures averaging 22 ^oC in summer and 12 ^oC in winter. On average temperatures rise above 25 ^oC on 20 days of the year. Annual rainfall is approximately 960mm with rain occurring approximately 5% of the time. There are on average 200 rain free days each year.

In the ranges that flank the city, there is often sustained wind, especially in spring. Much of this land is within the city boundaries and these ranges have the reputation of providing the most consistent wind in the country. As a result, Palmerston North is under increasing tensions between wind farm operators who want to build more renewable energy wind turbines and local residents who wish to continue to enjoy untouched scenery. Close to the city is the largest electricity-generating wind farm in the southern hemisphere, with 158 turbines on the nearby Tararua and Ruahine Ranges providing power for approximately 30,000 homes.

Climate data for Palmerston North
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Source: NIWA Climate Data

Economy

The tertiary education sector provides $1 billion dollars a year to the local economy and accounts for 13% of the total Palmerston North workforce. Palmerston North also has economic strengths in research, especially in the bio-industry, defence, distribution, and smart business sectors. The city is home to more than 70 major educational and research institutions, including New Zealand's fastest expanding university, Massey; the Massey University Sport and Recreation Institute (situated at Massey University campus, Turitea); UCOL - Universal College of Learning and Linton Military Camp.

In total, research, educational and government departments employ 43% of the city's workforce. Another quarter of the workforce is employed in the wholesale and retail section that reflects Palmerston North's status as a regional servicing focal point.

The city

The Square, Palmerston North

The city's main streets are arranged in a grid around The Square, a seven hectare park of lawn, trees, lakes, fountains, and gardens in the centre of the city. This park contains the city's war memorial, a memorial to Te Peeti Te Awe Awe - a Māori man who was helpful to the early settlers - and a clock tower whose illuminated cross was damaged in a storm in the first half of 2006. The damage to the cross and its subsequent removal rekindled a discussion about the appropriateness of a Christian symbol in the centre of a city whose citizens are of many cultures and religious backgrounds.

The City's Parks

There are a number of parks in the city. The foremost is the Victoria Esplanade. Victoria Esplanade is located along the northern bank of the Manawatu River, to the right of Fitzherbert Avenue if heading south. The esplanade includes gardens, children's play areas, an aviary, a mini-train ride, walking tracks, and sports fields (Ongley-Manawaroa Park).

The motto of the city is also that chosen by Lord Nelson.

Promotion

The city has used many descriptions in advertising and promotion: Rose City (referring to its international rose trial grounds), Knowledge City (referring to the city's many academic institutions), and "Student City" (for the same reason).

The current slogan, "Young Heart, Easy Living", indicates a laid-back provincial life style. This was created to attract families away from the busier main centers, to a more relaxed approach to living.

Dump

English comedian John Cleese referred to the city as the "...suicide capital of New Zealand. If you wish to kill yourself but lack the courage to, I think a visit to Palmerston North will do the trick". There is now a municipal rubbish heap of 45 metres in altitude with an official-looking sign naming it "Mt Cleese". [2] [3]

History

Early European Discoveries

Ngāti Rangitāne were the local Māori iwi (tangata whenua) living in the area known as Te Ahu-a-Turanga([4]:1), when a trader, Jack Duff, became the first known European person to explore the area in 1830. He came on a whaling ship, and explored as far inland as the site where Woodville stands today. He later reported his discovery on arrival back to Porirua. Colonel Wakefield heard of the potential the Manawatu had for development and visited in 1840. It was not until 1846, when Charles Hartley, another trader, heard from tangata whenua of a clearing in the forest and he proceeded through the dense bush and forest and discovered it. [5]

Surveying and subdivision

The Government surveyed the area in 1866-67. The original subdivision of Palmerston North was also made in 1866, in the natural clearing in the Papaioea Forest (as discovered by Hartley). A township was laid out by J.T. Stewart, an employee of the Wellington Provincial Government.

Mr Stewart's plan consisted of a series of wide and straight streets, laid out in a rectangular pattern, with the focal point for the new settlement taking the form of an open space of 17 acres, subsequently known as The Square. Mr Stewart is not completely forgotten as there are landmarks named for him, e.g. Stewart Crescent (Palmerston North), Mt Stewart (near Sanson).

The four original streets, which arrive at the Square from the different directions are now Fitzherbert Avenue (from the S), Main Street East, Main Street West and Rangitikei Street. As the settlement grew, the forest diminished to make way for farms, and today virtually no remnant of it survives.

First Settlers

The first settlers were largely Scandinavian, the most prominent being former Danish Premier and Bishop of the Danish Lutheran Church Ditlev Gothard Monrad after whom Monrad Intermediate School [6] (a local Intermediate School for Years 7 & 8 pupils) was named.

Borough status

By 1877, when the Borough Council came into existence, Palmerston North was an isolated village, set in the midst of a native forest which covered inland Manawatu. The population of the town was approximately 800 people and sawmilling was the main industry of the district. The arrival of the railway in 1886 saw an increase in the speed of growth, and by 1900 the population was 6,000. By this time the town was at the centre of a lucrative agricultural district.

From Borough to City

In 1930, the population reached the 20,000 threshold and Palmerston North was officially proclaimed a city. Development was slow at this period in the city’s history, however, due to the great depression and World War II. An airport was established at Milson in 1936. After the war growth was rapid, with the population rising to over 50,000 by the mid 1970s.

Sports teams

Sport in the Palmerston North area, in general, is predominantly provincial based. Unlike Auckland or Wellington, Palmerston North is more of a provincial city, therefore most sports teams draw their players from around the province, in this case, Manawatu. Most representative teams would have players from Feilding or other neighbouring towns.

NB. The most famous team to have "Palmerston North" in its title was the Palmerston North Jets, but they changed their name to Manawatu earlier in this decade.

Rugby

The city is the home of the Manawatu Turbos, who play in the Air New Zealand Cup, the main competition in New Zealand Rugby. The home ground is at FMG Stadium. The Ezibuy Manawatu Women's rugby team also plays at FMG Stadium.

Speedway

FMG Stadium is also the home of the Robertson Holden International Speedway. Palmerston North is host to a Stock car racing team known as the Panthers. Notable visitors to an event meeting included golfer Tiger Woods and his New Zealand caddie, Steve Williams, who is known for his love of the Stock Car sport.

Soccer/Football

YoungHeart Manawatu is one of 8 franchise teams competing in the NZ Football Championship which is the premier national competition. Red Sox Manawatu is a sports club catering for mens, womens and youth soccer and womens netball. Riverside RedSox is affiliated to Red Sox Manawatu and caters for junior boys and girls soccer

Other sports

• Basketball: Manawatu Jets
• Rugby League: Central Falcons
• Cricket: Manawatu; Central Districts
• Hockey: Central Mysticks (formerly Manawatu Emeralds, women)
• Hockey: Central Mavericks (men)
• Netball: Western (Provincial Championships); Western Flyers (National Bank Cup)
• Handball: Massey University Handball Club (earned a 4th place at the 2007 National Tournament in Wellingon)

Transport

Road

The city is a significant road and rail junction. State Highways 56 and 57 meet State Highway 3 close to the city, with these highways providing the main streets of the city. However, State Highway 1, New Zealand's main highway, passes about 25km to the west of Palmerston North.

State Highway 3 enters the city from the northwest as Rangitikei Street before turning left into Grey Street, north of the Square. It then turns right into Princess Street and left at Main Street East.

On the opposite sides of The Square to these two roads are Main Street West (in the south-west) and Fitzherbert Avenue (to the south-east). These two roads connect with State Highways 56 and 57 respectively. Many of the city's main public buildings are located close to The Square and to Main Street East.

Palmerston North city centre from Palmerston North Hospital.

Fitzherbert Avenue extends south, crossing the Fitzherbert Bridge, the only bridge over the Manawatu River close to the city to reach. The other is Fitzherbert East Road in Ashhurst, 14 km away. Massey University and International Pacific College (IPC), as well as some of the newly developed residential areas (Summerhill, Aokautere). The university campus is almost a separate urban area in its own right, containing student accommodation, and many mature trees. IPC provides a park-like campus for its 600 residential students from New Zealand and other parts of Asia as they study for their degrees.

Air

Palmerston North International Airport in the suburb of Milson is placing itself as a major secondary international airport in New Zealand. International and domestic services (the former operated by Freedom Air) operate to a number of international destinations, primarily to Australia.

In addition to domestic destinations, Palmerston North International Airport has direct connections to Sydney and Brisbane. Until recently, direct services to Melbourne and Fiji were available. The airport is open the most days of any New Zealand airport and provides a reliable alternative for aircraft diverted from landing at Wellington, usually the result of fog.

Palmerston North International Airport is the operational base of the Massey University School af Aviation, and by night serves as a busy domestic freight hub.

Palmerston North's international carrier Freedom Air will stop all services from Palmerston North at the end of March 2008.

Rail

At Palmerston North, the North Island Main Trunk railway is joined by the Palmerston North-Gisborne Line, which runs through the Manawatu Gorge to Woodville and Hawke's Bay, with a connection to the Wairarapa Line at Woodville. The railway was originally routed through the central Square of the town, but was diverted to the north in 1964 - 1966. There are very few passenger rail services to Palmerston North with only two services using the station: The daily Capital Connection service to and from Wellington, and the Overlander to Auckland or Wellington. This means that a maximum of four trains arrive or leave the station per day.

Bus

There is an urban bus service in which 5 town buses and 1 campus bus set off from the main depot on Main Street East (in front of the Palmerston North Courthouse) at least every half hour. It is run in conjunction between Horizons Regional Council and Masterton-based bus company, Tranzit.

Bus Route name	Services
Rangiora/Brightwater	southern portion of Roslyn, including Terrace End and Hokowhitu
Roslyn/Rhodes	northern portion of Roslyn and Kelvin Grove
Milson/Cloverlea	Milson, Cloverlea and parts of Takaro
Awapuni/Rugby	Awapuni South and Awapuni North
Highbury/Takaro	Highbury, Takaro and Westbrook
Fernlea/Heights	Kelvin Grove
12,12A,12B,12C,(14), 15	Massey services (14 also services IPC)

Occasionally there are buses which service Linton, Ashhurst and Feilding. There are also frequent bus services from town to Massey (both Turitea and Hokowhitu Campuses) and IPC Campus.

There is a bus service which travel on specific days to Ashhurst, Feilding and Linton.

The main bus depot for travel between Palmerston North and other cities is located at the intersection of Main and Pitt Sts.

Education

The large number of students from Massey, UCOL and IPC bring a youth culture to the city, helping to support the many cafes and bars. The Fitz (on Ferguson Street) has long been the city's infamous student watering hole. George Street, one street back from The Square, is where many of the cafes and boutique-type shops are located. Highbury is the home of the Papaioea Campus of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

Tertiary Education Institutions

School Name	Location
Massey University	Turitea
Massey University College of Education	Hokowhitu
Universal College of Learning	Palmerston North Central
International Pacific College	Aokautere
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa	Highbury

Secondary schools

School Name	Location
St Peter's College	Milson
Palmerston North Boys' High School (PNBHS)	Palmerston North Hospital Area
Palmerston North Girls High School (PNGHS)	West End
Queen Elizabeth College (QEC)	Palmerston North Hospital Area
Freyberg High School (FHS)	Roslyn
Awatapu College	Awapuni South

Primary and Intermediate Schools

School Name	Location
Cornerstone Christian School	Kelvin Grove
Takaro School	Tākaro
Carncot Independent School for Girls	Papaioea
Cloverlea School	Cloverlea
Milson School	Milson
Roslyn School	Roslyn
West End School	West End
Terrace End School	Roslyn
Our Lady of Lourdes School	Tākaro
Riverdale School	Awapuni South
St James Catholic School	Hokowhitu West
St Mary's Catholic School	Roslyn
Winchester School	Hokowhitu East
Hokowhitu School	Hokowhitu East
Awapuni School	Awapuni North
Ashhurst School	Ashhurst
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mana Tamariki	Palmerston North Central
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Manawatu	Kelvin Grove
Monrad Intermediate School	Highbury
Parkland School	Terrace End
Aokautere School	Aokautere
Whakarongo School	Whakarongo
Linton Camp School	Linton
Linton Country School	Linton
Tiritea School	Turitea
College Street Normal School	Hokowhitu West
Ross Intermediate School	Roslyn
Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School	West End
Seventh Day Adventist School	Palmerston North Central
Somerset Crescent School	Highbury
Russell Street School	Palmerston North Hospital Area
Palmerston North Central Normal School	Tākaro

City Council

On 1 November, 1989, New Zealand local government authorities were reorganised. Palmerston North City boundaries were extended to include Ashhurst, Linton and Turitea, through amalgamation of parts of the former Kairanga County, Oroua County and Ashhurst Town Council.

Administration

The Council consists of a Mayor and 15 Councillors. The Council, its standing committees, and some sub-committees meet regularly for the purpose of decision-making. Its administrative functions are broken down into seven units; City Future, City Contact, City Corporate, City Enterprises, Community and Commercial Services, City Library and City Networks. Chief executive Paddy Clifford - due to start in October 2007 is responsible for ensuring the effective, efficient and economic management of all the Council’s activities.

Services

Palmerston North City Council provides services for rubbish collections, water management, environmental management (e.g. Parks and Reserves) and the general maintenance of the City. Recently the City Council has funded the upgrading of the Square and the Clocktower and has proposed new infrastructure for the city, such as a recreational lake in Aokautere, or a second bridge crossing to ease the traffic which travels over the Fitzherbert Bridge.

Location

The City Council is located in the Civic Administration Building and the Customer Service Centre building which are both on the Square.

Mayor

The current mayor is Jono Naylor, who himself was once a councillor representing Hokowhitu.

Elections for Mayor and local government occur nationwide every three years, with the next election to take place in 2010.

Ward structure

For electoral purposes, Palmerston North City is divided into 5 wards since Ashhurst and Fitzherbert wards have now amalgamated. Four of these are urban and one rural.

Wards of Palmerston North
Ward Name	Suburbs including	Number of Councillor(s)	Councillors
Ashhurst-Fitzherbert Ward	Ashhurst, Whakarongo, Turitea, Linton, Massey University, Aokautere	Two	Cr B Wilson Cr Anne Podd
Awapuni Ward	Awapuni West, Awapuni North, Awapuni South	Three	Cr Annette Nixon Cr P Wheeler Cr Pat Kelly
Hokowhitu Ward	Hokowhitu East, Hokowhitu West, Hokowhitu Lagoon, Terrace End, part of Papaioea	Three	Cr Gordon Cruden Cr Jim Jeffries Cr Chris Teo-Sherrell
Papaioea Ward	Milson, Roslyn, Kelvin Grove, Palmerston North Hospital Area, Papaioea	Four	Cr John Hornblow   Cr Lew Findlay Cr Jan Barnett Cr Ross Linklater
Takaro Ward	Takaro, Highbury, Westbrook, Cloverlea	Three	Cr Michael Feyen Cr Vaughn Dennison Cr David Ireland

Sister cities

Palmerston North has three sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities NZ (SCI):

• Missoula, Montana, United States
• Guiyang, People's Republic of China
• Kunshan, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China

Notable personalities

Main article: List of notable people from Palmerston North

Sport

• Charles Munro, founder of rugby union in New Zealand, lived for a time in an area now part of Palmerston North
• Craig Perks, International golfer
• Jacob Oram, New Zealand Black Cap (cricket)
• Steven Old, New Zealand All White (soccer)
• Jason Eaton, All Black
• David Kirk, All Black and CEO Fairfax Australia
• Ross Taylor, New Zealand Black Cap and Central Districts batsman (cricket)
• Moira Senior, Black Stick (Hockey)
• Kayla Sharland, Black Stick (Hockey)
• Emily Naylor, Black Stick (Hockey)
• Tim Wilkinson, International golfer
• Michael Mason, New Zealand Black Cap and Central Districts bowler
• Kris Gemmell, International triathlete

Politics

• Simon Power, National MP
• Lynne Pillay, Labour MP
• Steve Maharey, Labour MP
• Ashraf Choudhary, Labour MP
• Jacqui Dean, National MP
• Jill White, former Labour MP and former Mayor of Palmerston North
• Metiria Turei, Green MP

Arts & Culture

• Anna Leese, soprano diva
• Billy TK, guitarist
• John Clarke, famous as entertainer "Fred Dagg"
• Nigel Keay, composer
• Warwick Keay, bass player and songwriter
• PNC, rapper
• Daniel Telo, Musician

Other

• Judy Bailey, former newsreader, deemed "Mother of the Nation"
• Olaf Wiig, photojournalist
• Fred Hollows, opthalmologist

External links

• Palmerston North City Council
• Official Street Maps
• Wikitravel Palmerston North page
• Palmerston North Churches