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The Ian Matheson City Archives holds the archival records of the Palmerston North City Council (and bodies that it superseded like the Kairanga County Council and selected records of the Oroua County Council).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

Picture1.png

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:

Picture2.png

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

Picture3.png

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:

Picture4.png

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

Picture5.png

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

Picture6.png

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 15 results

Flag of the United States of America

Two flags of the United States of America.

Known information: Given to Palmerston North Library City Librarian Anthony Lewis during a cultural visit from envoys of the city of Missoula, ...
Identifier:      PNCC 00077:2:2

Type:            Object

Ephemera from Missoula

Items gifted or acquired through the sister-city relationship with Missoula, USA.



  • Book: "The University of Montana, Missoula: A pictorial history". By Stan Cohen and don Miller. 2...
    Identifier:      PNCC 00077:1:7

    Type:            File


Paperweight from Missoula

Gift from Missoula through its sister-city relationship with Palmerston North.

Glass paperweight, with image of the University of Montana, reproduced from an original drawing, on it. Con...
Identifier:      PNCC 00077:3:3

Type:            Object

Palmerston North Sister City Committee - Minutes

File of President, John Hornblow. Minutes, agendas and reports. Includes "The Patriot" Film Premier Working Party meeting 12 May. and International Relationship Committee Meetings in May and Jun...
Identifier:      PNCC 00077:1:3
Date:            2000
Type:            File

Palmerston North Sister City Committee

Regarding the Ambassador Choir of New Zealand and the International Choral Festival in Missoula.

March to August 1996.


Identifier:      PNCC 00077:1:5
Date:            1996
Type:            File

Palmerston North Sister City Committee - Minutes

File of President, John Hornblow. Minutes, agendas and reports. Includes Public meeting for election of committee.

April - October 1998.


Identifier:      PNCC 00077:1:1
Date:            1998
Type:            File

Palmerston North Sister City Committee

File of President, John Hornblow. Includes correspondence, Sister Cities Business Plan, inventory of Missoula material.


Identifier:      PNCC 00077:1:6
Date:            1997 to 2006
Type:            File

Palmerston North Sister City Committee - Minutes

File of President, John Hornblow. Minutes, agendas and reports. Includes Sister City Agreement with Missoula and Mission Statement.


Identifier:      PNCC 00077:1:2
Date:            1999
Type:            File

Missoula Peace Quilt

Quilt presented to the people of NZ in 1989 in support of New Zealand's nuclear-free legislation.

Quilted by group of women to make a statement for peace. Depicts New Zealand's North and...
Identifier:      PNCC 00077:4:1
Date:            1989
Type:            Artwork

Baseball from Missoula

Gift from Missoula through its sister-city relationship with Palmerston North.

baseball has advertising stamped onto it

.


Identifier:      PNCC 00077:3:1

Type:            Object

3D Map of Montana

Map on card, with raised geographical features. Coloured.


Identifier:      PNCC 00077:5:1

Type:            Object

Bear Statue from Missoula

Gift from Missoula through its sister-city relationship with Palmerston North.

Cast metal bear statue on mahogany base. Signed by wildlife sculptor, Tom O'Brien. Has plaque on base, "Pal...
Identifier:      PNCC 00077:3:2
Date:            1985
Type:            Object

T-Shirt from Missoula

Gifted to Palmerston North from Missoula in recognition of its sister-city relationship. 

Long sleeved cotton t-shirt. Cream colour. Has logo on the front of Missoula Downtown Assoc...
Identifier:      PNCC 00077:2:1
Date:            circa 2000
Type:            Object

Souvenir Plate from Missoula

Gifted to Palmerston North from Missoula in recognition of its sister-city relationship. 

China plate. White with image of bear and lake in colour. Decorative purpose and hanging th...
Identifier:      PNCC 00077:2:3
Date:            circa 2000
Type:            Object
Search settings