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The Ian Matheson City Archives holds the archival records of the Palmerston North City Council (and bodies that it superseded like the Kairanga County Council and selected records of the Oroua County Council).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

Planning Department - Photographs and Films

Images created and collected by the Palmerston North City Council Planning Department. They include images of: Palmerston North houses and commercial buildings/businesses ; notable trees; Pahiat...
Identifier:      PNCC 7/8/3:4:1
Date:            circa 1980 to circa 1990
Type:            Photograph

Visit of the Queen Mother - Colour Slides

Made by M D (David) Evans, planning assistant from 1955 to 1968, Deputy City Planner from 1968 to 1978 and Senior Planning Officer (Design and Development) from 1978-1988.
Identifier:      PNCC 7/8/3:6:1
Date:            1958
Type:            Photograph

Traffic Film - Fitzherbert Street

Full inscription: "Fitzherbert St (Clock tower). To[o] flickery & ver...
Identifier:      PNCC 7/8/3:5:8
Date:            1956
Type:            16mm film

Traffic Film - Fitzherbert and Rangitikei Streets

Full inscription: "Fitzherbert & Rangitikei St - File shots of Rangitikei bit over-exposed but useful - Train buildup - commercial crossing"

16mm Cine-Kodak Super X film recorded by (or fo...
Identifier:      PNCC 7/8/3:5:2
Date:            1956
Type:            16mm film

Slides - "RPG Material"

These were possible taken by (or for) David Evans. M D (David) Evans was planning assistant from 1955 to 1968, Deputy City Planner from 1968 to 1978 and Senior Planning Officer (Design and Develop...
Identifier:      PNCC 7/8/3:6:3
Date:            circa 1960 to circa 1969
Type:            Photograph

Slides - Aerials of Palmerston North

Made by (or for) M D (David) Evans, planning assistant from 1955 to 1968, Deputy City Planner from 1968 to 1978 and Senior Planning Officer (Design and Development) from 1978-1988.
Identifier:      PNCC 7/8/3:6:2
Date:            circa 1966 to circa 1969
Type:            Photograph

Film - Works Staff in The Square and other jobs

8mm film recorded by Raymond Thurston Ellis, who was employed as a leading hand in the City Engineer's Department from 12 February 1969 to March 1974 and 12 February 1975 to 6 August 1982. The c...
Identifier:      PNCC 7/8/3:5:1
Date:            circa 1974 to circa 1978
Type:            8mm film

David Evans - Working Papers and Images

Includes: correspondence with Collie Billman & Co. Ltd; photographs of an architectural model (thought to be The Lido); negatives of "External Cordon Survey." M D (David) Evans was planning assista...
Identifier:      PNCC 7/8/3:6:5
Date:            circa 1966
Type:            File
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