Search help for PNCC page

The Ian Matheson City Archives holds the archival records of the Palmerston North City Council (and bodies that it superseded like the Kairanga County Council and selected records of the Oroua County Council). This search platform allows you to search the records that have been processed and are able to view, subject to applicable access restrictions.

How do I request files?

Most of the records on this search platform are not available digitally, but you can use this service to find and request materials to be viewed in person at our Reading Room in the Palmerston North Central Library or digitised for digital delivery, if possible.

Please send your request to heritage@pncc.govt.nz. When requesting information please ensure you provide:

  • Identifier [eg: PNCC 00050B:0:MD9431]
  • Title
  • Date

Staff may be able to locate further relevant records (if available) if you tell us what information you are trying to find. You can request multiple items in one request. Please supply the identifier, title and date for each record.

Please be aware that:

  • Some materials may not be able to be accessed due to privacy or access restrictions.
  • Some materials may not be able to be digitised due to fragility or cost.

If you have any questions or would like further assistance, the Heritage Team can provide in-depth support and advice at heritage@pncc.govt.nz

How do I use the general search

Start your search with the search bar by inputting keywords.

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You can use keywords to search for records held in the Ian Matheson City Archives by inputting them here and clicking the magnifying glass icon. The default sorting option is "Relevance," but you can reorder your results to show the earliest or latest records by the creation date and the earliest and latest records added to the database using the sort options.

If you find you are getting too many results that are not relevant, you can tailor your search further by using these tools:

  • use quotation marks to create exact search queries
  • add subsequent keywords using the + button
  • toggle the filters in the sidebar to filter by a date, format, series and more

Exact Search Queries

Adding quotation marks to your keywords limits the results to only those that match your query exactly.

For example:

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Will return any results that have either the keyword rate or book in them.

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Will limit the results to those with the term "rate book" in them - much more useful if that is specifically what you are looking for!

Exact match searching with quotation marks is helpful for many kinds of searches, including property or land information (i.e. "6 Avenue Street", "Hokowhitu Lagoon"), specific kinds of materials (i.e. "Report Books" or "Council Minutes") or searching for people (i.e. "John Smith", "Jill White"). If you don't get the results you are searching for, try a general search without quotes to see the format of records you are seeking. The Heritage Team is happy to help with search requests at heritage@pncc.govt.nz

Adding keywords to search query

Adding keywords to your search allows you to narrow down the results if you want to search by multiple keywords that are not necessarily an exact phrase in the record description.

For example:

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A search for Russell returns 202 results, but if you are only looking for subdivision records, you can add subdivision as a keyword.

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Adding subdivision as a separate keyword limits the results to only records with both words present.

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Adding correspondence as a separate keyword limits the results to only records with both words present.

Keywords can be deleted individually by clicking the "x" next to it.

Using the filters

The table explains what type of information each filter contains, and gives some tips on using them.

Field name Meaning Search tips
Access Access Restriction status Some materials have access restrictions for reasons such as privacy, commercial sensitivity or security concerns. In certain cases, redacted copies of records can be supplied for restricted material. If you feel a record has been incorrectly restricted, please contact us.
Type Primary format of material Use this field if you know that you are looking for a specific format, i.e. a map/plan.
Series Name PNCC Series name or Series code Use if you want to limit your results to a specific series or set of series. First select PNCC Archives. Enter a keyword to see the series title, then select this to limit your search. If there are multiple series with the keyword in the title, you can navigate through them using the left and right arrow keys. The Series code, if known, can also be used in this filter. You can browse and search the series descriptions here.
Date Creation date for the record or set of records Will return results anywhere within the date range of the records. Date is generally limited to a year level, but some records have more detailed information. Not all records have dates associated with them, so if something isn't returned that should be, try searching without this field. At present, there is no fuzzy or circa date searching - please use the widest range of dates that could apply.
Creating Agency Organisation, group or PNBC/PNCC department that was primarily responsible for creating the record. You can browse and search the Creating Agencies here.

If you are having trouble locating something or see something you think is incorrect, please contact the Heritage Team at heritage@pncc.govt.nz

Found 49 results

76: Pioneer N CBC Bridge No. 2

77: Pioneer N Culvert No. 1 (C7 36R)

78: Pioneer N Culvert No. 2 (C7 81R)

79: Pioneer N Culvert No. 3 (C7 117R)

80: Pioneer Bridge No. 4 (Mangaone Stream)

81: Railway...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:9:9
Date:            circa 1991
Type:            Print photograph

66: No. 1 Line CBC and No. 1 Line Overbridge

67: No. 1 Line Overbridge

68: Old West CBC Bridge, No. 1

69: Old West CBC Bridge, No. 2

70: Old West Armco "Bridge", No. 3

71: Old West Bridge No. 4 (Tu...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:9:8
Date:            circa 1991
Type:            Print photograph

46: Hendersons Bridge

47: Heretaunga CBC (Little Kawau Stream)

48: Freyburg CBC (Little Kawau Stream)

49: Highbury Bridge (Mangaone Stream)

50: Armco Bridge

51: Kahuterawa CBC Bridge No. 2

52: Kahu...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:9:6
Date:            circa 1991
Type:            Print photograph

56: Mihaere Overbridge

57: Milrick Line CBC Bridge (CH 673 L)

58: Milson Overbridge

59: Milson Bridge No. 2 (Mangaone Stream)

60: Milson Line Culvert (near No. 183)

61: Milson CBC Bridge No. 3

62: ...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:9:7
Date:            circa 1991
Type:            Print photograph

36: Fitzherbert East Old Dump CPC (CH 878)

37: Fitzherbert East CBC (CH 1003/R)

38: Fitzherbert East CBC (10183 and 10370)

39: Florence Avenue, Twin CBC (Little Kawau Stream)

40: Forrest Hill Road ...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:9:5
Date:            circa 1991
Type:            Print photograph

26: Fitzherbert Bridge

27: Fitzherbert Bridge

28: Fitzherbert East, CBC Bridge No. 2

29: Flush Median (Grey Street from Princess to Sydney Streets); Cambridge Avenue

30: Fitzherbert East, CBC Bridg...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:9:4
Date:            circa 1991
Type:            Print photograph

16: A - Saddle Road Bridge

17: Benmore Bridge

18: Botanical Bridge No. 1

19: Botanical Bridge No. 2

20: Botanical CBC Bridge No. 3

21: Centre Road Scour [and concrete box culvert?]

22: Craws Road, ...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:9:3
Date:            1991 to 2000
Type:            Print photograph

6: Amberley Armco No. 2 Bridge

7: Amberley No. 3 Bridge

8: Aokautere: Bryant's Bridge

9: A - Cambridge Overbridge

10: A - Feilding: CPC and CBC Bridge

11: A - Grove CBC Bridge

12: A - Harrisons CBC...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:9:2
Date:            circa 1991
Type:            Print photograph


  1. Roads and intersections in Ashhurst

  2. "Andrew CBC" (roads and intersections in Ashhurst)

  3. Model of intersection (Princess Street and surrounds)

  4. Akers Road, concrete box culvert

  5. Amberley...
    Identifier:      PNCC 00047:9:1
    Date:            circa 1991
    Type:            Print photograph

Photographs of dinner held for the Chinese Ambassador when he visited Palmerston North. People include the Ambassador and his wife, Mayor Paul Rieger, Councillor Mervyn Hancock and others.


Identifier:      PNCC 00047:1:10
Date:            1988 to 1988
Type:            Photograph

Photographs of the restoration of the Regent Theatre at 53 Broadway, Palmerston North. Images include exterior and interior views, demolition and construction,


Identifier:      PNCC 00047:1:1
Date:            1996 to 1997
Type:            Photograph

Twenty-four photographs taken prior to refurbishment. Show various features of Te Marae o Hine/The Square. Undated (c.1990s), 

Transferred from Parks & Reserves, PNCC.


Identifier:      PNCC 00047:4:5
Date:            circa 1991 to circa 2004
Type:            Photograph

Photographs taken of Palmerston North parks and reserves by Council staff in the course of their work.

Includes: street scenes around the central city and Rangitikei Street (including bus...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:3:3
Date:            circa 2000 to circa 2010
Type:            Photograph

Peter Apthorp (1933 - 2009) was the Town Clerk for Palmerston North City Council 1974 - 1989.


Identifier:      PNCC 00047:1:11
Date:            1989 to 1989
Type:            Photograph

Photographs of native tree planting at Awatea Park on the centenary of the first Arbor Day. Includes Deputy Mayor Bernard Forde, Rangi Fitzgerald, children and others.


Identifier:      PNCC 00047:1:9
Date:            1992 to 1992
Type:            Photograph

Photographs taken of Palmerston North parks and reserves by Council staff in the course of their work.

Includes: playgrounds; Memorial Park; Ongley park; Manawatū River flooding; Esplanad...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:3:1
Date:            circa 2000 to circa 2010
Type:            Photograph

Photographs taken of Palmerston North parks and reserves by Council staff in the course of their work.

Includes: street scenes; houses; businesses; Te Manawa; Art Gallery; City Library; b...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:3:2
Date:            circa 2000 to circa 2010
Type:            Photograph

Photographs of the Public Library on the corner of Main Street and The Square. Includes photos of its construction, opening, interior and exterior, children's area and staff.


Identifier:      PNCC 00047:2:1
Date:            circa 1960 to circa 1970
Type:            Photograph

Photographs recording the inaugural meeting of the newly elected Palmerston North City Council for 1995, 1998 and 2001. These show the mayor and councillors signing documents. The 2001 photograp...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:5:1
Date:            1995 to 2001
Type:            Photograph

Photos of evening traffic on Summerhill Drive, dated 19 September 1991 and 1 April 1993. Four small aerial photographs from c. April 1996.


Identifier:      PNCC 00047:4:1
Date:            1991 to circa 1996
Type:            Photograph

Three sets of photographs taken by Roy Bodell in the course of his work with the PNCC Engineering Department. He variously held the roles of: graduate engineer; traffic engineer; Works support ...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:4:6
Date:            circa 1971 to circa 1979
Type:            Photograph

Construction of the CAB for Palmerston North City Council, on the corner of Main Street and The Square.

Also includes images of tar sealing of what may be the Airport runway.


Identifier:      PNCC 00047:1:7
Date:            circa 1989 to circa 1989
Type:            Photograph

Photographs of a display set up to celebrate a Cooperative/Premier Department Store reunion on Saturday 12 September 1992.

Also includes some interior views of the archives repository, o...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:1:4
Date:            1992 to 1992
Type:            Photograph

Photographs of various people and places that were housed together.

1. Opening of new mobile library, with bus and staff. 28 September 1989

2. Kristen Gibson, great grand daughter ...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:1:5
Date:            1989 to 1992
Type:            Photograph

City Networks photographs of bus shelters and bus stops, taken during the course of their work.


Identifier:      PNCC 00047:1:3
Date:            1997 to 1997
Type:            Photograph

Photographs of the building of a new bridge over the Butterfly Lakelet in The Square.

The lakelet was constructed in 1909 in the shape of a butterfly, with the bridge forming its body. T...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:1:14
Date:            1988 to 1988
Type:            Photograph

The 112 Years exhibition was created to celebrate 112 years of Palmerston North Council. Photographs include installation of the exhibition at the Conference Centre, library staff, Mayor Paul Ri...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:1:13
Date:            1989 to 1989
Type:            Photograph

Celebrating one million issues from the Public Library, including the customer who won a prize for issuing that item on 22 May 1992. Includes sponsors of the prize, the Mayor Paul Rieger, and ot...
Identifier:      PNCC 00047:1:8
Date:            1992 to 1992
Type:            Photograph

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