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The Ian Matheson City Archives holds the archival records of the Palmerston North City Council (and bodies that it superseded like the Kairanga County Council and selected records of the Oroua County Council).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 16 results

Knowledge City Flag created to market the motto of the Palmerston North City Council circa 1995.

Flag reads: "Get In The Know - Palmerston North", with the first 3 words in light blue an...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:7:1
Date:            circa 1995 to circa 2000
Type:            Artifact

A quilt created by Malcolm Harrison showing the silhouette of an individual in blue standing on an island watching pieces of a painting blow away with the wind. Signed by the artist an...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:1:1
Date:            1990 to 1990
Type:            Artifact

A quilt by Fru Vicvic depicting a two tropical island scenese. Signed by artist and created circa 2015.





The quilt is bordered with blue floral patterning vertically and r...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:1:2
Date:            circa 2015 to circa 2015
Type:            Artifact

A quilt by Frie Maning depicting a cat on an island with houses and a palm tree with fish underneath. Signed by artist and created circa 2015.





The quilt is bordered with floral patterni...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:2:1
Date:            circa 2015 to circa 2015
Type:            Artifact

Large ANZAC Quilt created by PNCC staff and residents of Palmerston North from 2015 to 2017. Quilt contains a multitude of poppies, a large cross and the motto, "From the uttermost corners of th...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:3:1
Date:            2015 to 2017
Type:            Object

Created by Robyn Wilson for a poster display at 2019 LIANZA Conference from October 21st – 23rd at the Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau – Auckland.

Materials: sourced from Hokowhitu Books...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:6:1
Date:            2019 to 2019
Type:            Artwork

A collection of limited-edition prints of the poems exhibited in the Black River: A collaboration in print and poetry exhibition at Te Manawa between 14 June 2014 and 11 January 2015.<...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:6:2
Date:            2014 to 2015
Type:            Artwork

Model of the Palmerston North City Council's CAB on The Square.





Unknown creator.





Model consists of 6 separate pieces and is unpainted. Total measurements are 410mm (w) x 410mm ...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:4:1-6
Date:            circa 1975 to circa 1980
Type:            Artifact

Photographic print of Palmerston North City Council Archives staff dated 20 December 2001. 

Staff are in lab coats standing in front of dark blue wall and large aerial photograph mo...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:5:1
Date:            2001 to 2001
Type:            Photograph positive image

Two white lab coats worn by staff of the Palmerston North City Council City Archives circa 1995 to 2003.

Both lab coats have initials of owners on inside label (BMO & CM). Made in New Ze...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:5:2-3
Date:            circa 1995 to circa 2005
Type:            Artifact

Wall hanging designed by Whanganui artist Els Noordhof and stitched by 52 members of the Manawatū Embroiderers Guild.  Presented on 03 November 1980 to the Palmerston North Cit...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:0:0
Date:            1980 to 1980
Type:            Artifact

Two purple velvet pillows, one large, one small, used to hold books as display items for Library circa 1996. 

Large pillow has gold trim and purple tassels. Measurements: 450mm (w) x ...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:8:1
Date:            1996 to 1996
Type:            Artifact

Four sets of puzzle pieces forming the layout of houses which were created for a display on Savage Crescent circa 2014. The puzzle pieces show architectural designs on the obverse...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:0:8
Date:            circa 2012 to circa 2014
Type:            Artifact

Medium-sized display boards created by Palmerston North City Council to showcase the history and development of the Savage Crescent area.

Display boards are entitled:





Item 9: Ho...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:0:9-14
Date:            circa 2012 to circa 2014
Type:            Artifact

Small display boards created by Palmerston North City Council to showcase the history and development of the Savage Crescent area.

Display boards are entitled:


Item 1: Savage Cr...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:0:1-7
Date:            circa 2012 to circa 2014
Type:            Artifact

Large-sized display boards created by Palmerston North City Council to showcase the history and development of the Savage Crescent area.

Display boards are entitled:





Item 15: Ho...
Identifier:      PNCC 00085:0:15-18
Date:            circa 2012 to circa 2014
Type:            Artifact

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