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The Ian Matheson City Archives holds the archival records of the Palmerston North City Council (and bodies that it superseded like the Kairanga County Council and selected records of the Oroua County Council).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 28 results

Plans - Street Levels

Eight plans.

These plans were ordered by the Council on 20 August 1885 at a cost of ₤25, to replace a set which had been destroyed in the Town Hall fire of 4 August 1885. The earlie...
Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:1:1
Date:            1885
Type:            Map plan

Plans - Manawatu River Outlet of Awapuni Lagoon and Position of Riverbank

Untitled plan. North Bank of Manawatu River. Shows riverbank positions at the time of old survey and at 27 April 1894. Title, signature and date have been torn from lower right-hand corner.

<...
Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:7:3
Date:            1894
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Roy Street

John P Armstrong, Engineer, 9 September 1889.

Previously numbered as 19 by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:5:1
Date:            1889
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Right Bank of Manawatu River

Fitzherbert Bridge to Race Course. John P Armstrong, 28 October 1889.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:5:2
Date:            1889
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Reforming, Metalling, Footpath and Drainage

Main Street West. John P Armstrong, Engineer, 31 August 1888.

Previously numbered as C3 by City Engineers Department


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:4:5
Date:            1888
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Rangitikei Street Extension to Railway Station

Railway Station in the Square. John P Armstrong.11 September 1886.

Previously numbered as 50 by City Engineers Department


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:2:2
Date:            1886
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Reforming, Metalling, Footpath and Drainage

Main Street West. Revised Plan.  John P Armstrong, Engineer, 28 September 1888.

Previously numbered as C3 by City Engineers Department


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:4:6
Date:            1888
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Private Bridges Kawau Outfall Drain

John P Armstrong, Engineer for Surface Drainage, 31 October 1887.

Previously numbered as M/10 by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:3:9
Date:            1887
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Pipe Sewer to Connect Hospital with Main Street

John P Armstrong, Borough Engineer, 28 September 1890 (sic).

Previously numbered as SR2 by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:7:1
Date:            1890
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Metalling, Footpaths and Water Tables

Broad Street. John P Armstrong, Engineer for Surface Drainage, 29 June 1887.

Previously numbered as 58 by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:3:6
Date:            1887
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Metalling, Footpath and Surface Drainage

Main Street East. John P Armstrong, Engineer for Surface Drainage, 2 December 1887.

Previously numbered as 41 by City Engineers Department


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:3:11
Date:            1887
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Main Street South

John P Armstrong, Engineer for Surface Drainage, November 12 ,1887.

Previously numbered as c2 by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:3:10
Date:            1887
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Lines of Escape of Spill Floodwater from Mangaone Stream

Contour plan. As affecting the Borough of Palmerston North. John P Armstrong. No date but probably about 1888. Shows levels and course of Mangaone and Kawau Streams from Settlers Line to K...
Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:4:4
Date:            1888
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Kawau Creek Outfall Drain

Sheet No 1. John P Armstrong Engineer for Surface Drainage, 21 April 1887.

Previously numbered as M/11 by City Engineers Department


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:3:3
Date:            1887
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Kawau Creek Outfall Drain

Sheet No 2. John P Armstrong Engineer for Surface Drainage, 31 March 1887.

Previously numbered as M/12 by City Engineers Department


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:3:2
Date:            1887
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Kawau Creek Outfall Drain

Sheet No 2. John P Armstrong Engineer for Surface Drainage, 21 April 1887.

Previously numbered as M/13 and 20 by City Engineers Department


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:3:4
Date:            1887
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Formation Metalling and Drainage

Napier Road. John P Armstrong, Engineer for Surface Drainage, 6 May 1887.

Previously numbered as 40 by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:3:5
Date:            1887
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Formation, Metalling and Drainage

Tramway Street. John P Armstrong, Engineer for Surface Drainage, 29 October 1887.

Previously numbered as 52 by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:3:8
Date:            1887
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Formation of Road and Footpath and Metalling

Park Road. John P Armstrong, Engineer, 28 November 1890.

Previously numbered as 43 by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:6:2
Date:            1890
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Formation, Metalling, Drainage, Bridge and Culverts

Northern half of Rangitikei Street. John P Armstrong, Civil Engineer, 2 November 1888.

Previously numbered as 59 by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:4:7
Date:            1888
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Footpath Formation, Metalling, Water Table and Culverts

North side of Church Street East only. John P Armstrong, Engineer for Surface Drainage, 17 January 1888.

Previously numbered as 7 by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:4:1
Date:            1888
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Featherston Street East Formation

Terrace End corner. John P Armstrong, Civil Engineer, 16 July 1886.

Previously numbered as 42 by City Engineers Department


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:2:1
Date:            1886
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Featherston Street West and Kairanga Road

John P Armstrong, Engineer for Surface Drainage, 27 February 1888.

Previously numbered as 53 by (City Engineers Department


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:4:2
Date:            1888
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Drainage of The Square

John P Armstrong Engineer for Surface Drainage, 24 October 1887.

Previously numbered as 26 and SRI by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:3:7
Date:            1887
Type:            Map plan

Plan - College Street East Footpath

John P Armstrong, Borough Engineer, 20 February 1894.

Previously numbered as 51 by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:7:2
Date:            1890
Type:            Map plan

Plan - Alexandra Street Extension

John P Armstrong, Engineer, 7 May 1890, (Previously numbered as 38 by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:6:1
Date:            1890
Type:            Map plan

Plan -Cook Street, Park Road to Ferguson Street

Revised plan. John P Armstrong, Engineer for Surface Drainage, 1 February 1887.

Previously numbered as 47 by City Engineers Department.


Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:3:1
Date:            1887
Type:            Map plan

Chart - Levels of Milverton Land and Lands Adjoining

John P Armstrong, 29 May 1888. Also copy on liner paper, signed true copy, J P Armstrong 14 June 1888.

Show contours of land between Kawau and Mangaone Streams, from vicinity of Roy Stre...
Identifier:      PNCC 4/8/3:4:3
Date:            1888
Type:            Map plan
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