Ian Matheson City Archives

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The Ian Matheson City Archives holds the archival records of the Palmerston North City Council (and bodies that it superseded like the Kairanga County Council and selected records of the Oroua County Council).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 74 results

History of City Archives

Includes:



  • Naming of the Archives;


  • Opening hours;


  • Promotion and publications;


  • Access to users;


  • PNCC policy for charging, access charges;Identifier:      PNCC 00075:5:Folder 1

    Type:            Document


History of City Archives

Archives Repository requirements for implementing a PNCC Archive. Ian Matheson City Archives for the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:7:A10/1
Date:            1983 to 1988
Type:            Document

Hill Medal Collection

The Hill Medal Collection was donated to the Palmerston North City Council in 1964. It was returned to family members in 2006.

Contains background to donation and correspondence about its...
Identifier:      PNCC 00075:4:A1/17
Date:            2006 to 2006
Type:            File

Heritage Trails

Regarding Palmerston North Heritage Trails Working party and the production of brochures. 


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:14:A85/2
Date:            circa 1990 to 2001
Type:            Document

Heritage Trails, Manawatu District

Includes:



  • Minutes of meetings of Manawatu Heritage Trail Working Party;


  • Brochures: Te Kawu Trail, Ngaio Trail and Valley Trail;


  • Information on the facilities a...
    Identifier:      PNCC 00075:15:A85/6
    Date:            1992 to 1995
    Type:            Document


Handout for Talk - Records and Archives

By Ian Matheson City Archives for the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:13:A75/7
Date:            1971 to 1992
Type:            Document

Handout for Talk - Maori History of Manawatu

By Ian Matheson City Archives for the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:13:A75/8
Date:            circa 1970 to 1991
Type:            Document

Handout for Talk - Pakeha History of Manawatu

Includes: "Important Aspects of Palmerston North's History".

By Ian Matheson City Archives for the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:13:A75/9
Date:            1971 to 1991
Type:            Document

Register of Palmerston North Historic Places

Named by NZ Historic Places Trust and PNCC District Scheme.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:15:A85/8
Date:            1995 to 2000
Type:            Document

Records Systems

Includes Subject Classification Guide on which PNCC records classification based. For Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:17:A165/3
Date:            1978 to circa 1988
Type:            Document

Records Management Service Agreement

Between Ian Matheson City Archives and Palmerston North City Council Records Department. 


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:4:A1/10
Date:            2001
Type:            Document

Records Improvement Programme

Relating to the proposed relocation of Council Archives to the Civic Administration Building. 

Ian Matheson City Archives for the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:4:A1/11
Date:            2000 to 2001
Type:            Document

Records and Archives Procedures Manual

Includes:



  • Records Centre "Procedures Guide and Organizational Structure;


  • Functions/Reviews of Corporate Services; 


  • Functions/Reviews of Social Services;</...
    Identifier:      PNCC 00075:18:A165/9
    Date:            1987 to 1990
    Type:            Document


Records Scheduling and Disposal to Archives

Includes:


  • Retention and Disposal Schedules and guidelines

  • Transferred/Destroyed files list

Ian Matheson City Archives for the Palmerston North City Counci...
Identifier:      PNCC 00075:18:A170/1
Date:            1982 to 2007
Type:            Document

Procedures and Compliance with Legislation

Ian Matheson City Archives for the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:15:A105/1
Date:            1980 to 2008
Type:            Document

PNCC - Bi-Cultural Action Plan (Archivist)

Documents relating to the Palmerston North City Councils 1995/96 Bi-cultural Action Plan, Memoranda issued to the City Archivist.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:2:A1/2
Date:            1995
Type:            File

Plan of Arrangement of PNCC Archives

Now the Ian Matheson City Archives for the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:2:A 1/4/3
Date:            1988 to 1988
Type:            Document

Placement of PNCC Archives and Records Staff

Includes the creation of position of Archivist. Ian Matheson City Archives for the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:16:A115/3
Date:            1989 to 1990
Type:            Document

Photographs of Ian Matheson City Archives

Photographs of:


  • Staff, accomodation, work and events in the City Archives;

  • Courses and conferences attended by staff of City Archives.

Ian Matheson City A...
Identifier:      PNCC 00075:3:A1/6/1

Type:            Photograph positive image

Photographic Archives

Includes information on the management of the photograph collection prior to it passing to the Archives.

Ian Matheson City Archives for the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:17:A140/1
Date:            circa 1974 to 2006
Type:            Document

Palmerston North Walks and Heritage Trails

Copies of brochures produced.

Ian Matheson City Archives for the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:14:A85/1
Date:            1985 to 2008
Type:            Document

New Library Building and Archives Accommodation

Now the Ian Matheson City Archives for the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:8:A20/3
Date:            1993 to 1996
Type:            Document

Library Restructuring and Archives Role

Includes Archives Management Plan, outlining the relocation of Archives within the Library and its implementation.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:16:A115/4
Date:            1990 to 1993
Type:            Document

Library Management Team Minutes and Papers

When Ian Matheson was a member of the Management Team. Ceased in 1992.

Ian Matheson City Archives for the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:16:A120/4
Date:            1991 to 1992
Type:            Document

Conservation Information and Suppliers

Includes Conservation Survey of Palmerston North Council Archives (1992).

For the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:9:A55/1
Date:            1989 to 1996
Type:            Document

Computer Systems

For the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:9:A50/1
Date:            1971 to 2003
Type:            Document

Co-Op/PDC Exhibition

Planning and publicity. For the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:10:A70/4/3
Date:            1992 to 1992
Type:            Document

City Archives Bi-Monthly Reports

Two monthly reports about the activities of the Ian Matheson City Archives.


For the Palmerston North City Council.


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:18:A180/1
Date:            2011 to 2013
Type:            File

City Archivist

Newspaper clippings, certificates, courses attended, general information about Ian Matheson (City Archivist c 1990 - 2002) and Lesley Courtney (City Archivist 2003 - 2022).


Identifier:      PNCC 00075:20:A190/12/1
Date:            2002 to 2009
Type:            File
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