Palmerston North#City status

{{more citations needed|section|date=November 2018}}

Ngāti Rangitāne were the local Māori iwi (tangata whenua) living in the area known as Te Ahu-ā-Tūranga,{{cite web | url=http://citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz/search-site.html?search=true&search_id=2&query=Chapter1+pdf | archive-url= https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20070712102821/http://citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz/search-site.html?search=true&search_id=2&query=Chapter1+pdf | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 July 2007 | title=PN City Library – Search site }} when a trader, Jack Duff, became the earliest known European to explore the area {{circa|1830}}. He came on a whaling ship and explored possibly as far inland as the site of Woodville. He reported his discovery on arrival back to Porirua. Colonel Wakefield heard of the potential that the Manawatu had for development and visited in 1840. In 1846 Charles Hartley, another trader, heard from tangata whenua of a clearing in the Papaioea forest, and he proceeded through the dense bush and forest and discovered it for Europeans.{{cite encyclopedia |last1=McKinnon |first1=Malcolm |title=Manawatū and Horowhenua places – Palmerston North |url= https://teara.govt.nz/en/manawatu-and-horowhenua-places/page-5 |encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=7 November 2018 |date=22 April 2015}}

In 1858, the Government began negotiations with local iwi to purchase land in Manawatu. There was a dispute at the time between the rival iwi Ngāti Rangitāne and Ngāti Raukawa as to who had the right to sell. The dispute is resolved in favour of Rangitāne. On a visit in 1859, John Tiffin Stewart, an employee of the Wellington Provincial Council,{{cite web|url=http://horowhenua.kete.net.nz/site/topics/show/218-john-tiffin-stewart|title=Topic: John Tiffin Stewart|publisher=Kete Horowhenua|access-date=4 July 2008}} was shown the Papaioea clearing by the Rangitāne chief, Te Hirawanu, and noted its suitability for a "good site for a township".{{cite web|url=http://www.ourregion.co.nz/palmerston-north/ |title=Our Region |publisher=Ourregion.co.nz |access-date=19 June 2015}} In 1864, Te Ahu-a-Turanga Block was sold by Rangitāne to the Government for £12,000, in an effort to open the Manawatu to settlement.

Stewart returned in 1866 on behalf of the Wellington Provincial Council (under whose jurisdiction the new purchase fell) and made the original survey and subdivision in the Papaioea forest clearing. The settlement, named Palmerston to commemorate the recently deceased Prime Minister of Great Britain, was laid out according to Stewart's plan, consisting of a series of wide and straight streets in a rectangular pattern. The focal point was an open space of {{convert|17|acre|ha|0}} subsequently known as The Square. On 3 October 1866, Palmerston was formally endorsed after Isaac Earl Featherston (Wellington Provincial Superintendent) signed a proclamation defining the boundaries of the settlement. The first sections were sold after. {{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}

Among the first settlers included Scandinavians, who arrived in 1871. They established settlements at Awapuni and Whakarongo/Stoney Creek.{{Cite web |title=Palmerston North {{!}} NZHistory, New Zealand history online |url= https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/palmerston-north#:~:text=The%20first%20settlers%20were%20Scandinavians,on%20public%20works%20and%20sawmilling. |access-date=15 May 2024 |website=nzhistory.govt.nz}}

Later the same year, the suffix North was added to distinguish the settlement of the same name in Otago. In 1872, a petition was launched to change the name of the settlement. A public meeting in 1873 ends with no clear decision on the name.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

The railway line was laid through the Square in 1875. The foundation stone for the original All Saints Church was laid by Louisa Snelson on 29 September 1875.{{cite news |title=All Saints' Church |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=MT19161028.2.36 |access-date=18 June 2016 |work=Manawatu Times |volume=XL |issue=13536 |date=28 October 1916 |page=7}} By 1875 there were newspapers, a doctor and a post office.

File:The Square 1878 towards Main Street West from junction with Fitzherbert Ave, Palmerston North.jpg

In 1876, Palmerston North became a Local Board District, within the Wellington Provincial Council. This existed until the abolition of the provinces later the same year. Also in the same year, the council set aside land north of the Manawatū River for the purposes of a reserve. In 1890, this land was again set aside and would become, in 1897, the Victoria Esplanade.

File:Post Office, Palmerston North (21271976892) restored.jpg.]]

By 1877, when the Borough Council came into existence, Palmerston North was an isolated village in the midst of the native forest that covered inland Manawatu. By 1878, the population was 880{{Cite web|title=1878 Census|url= https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1878-census/1878-results-census.html|website=stats.govt.nz}} and sawmilling was the main industry of the district. {{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}

The arrival of the railway in 1886 saw an increase in the speed of growth, and the town was at the centre of a lucrative agricultural district. {{Citation needed|date=February 2020}} The opening of the nearby Longburn Freezing Works provided employment, while the Borough Council instigated more infrastructural schemes such as the sewerage system. The Railway through the Manawatū Gorge to Napier was completed in 1891. {{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}

In 1893, Rangitāne sold the Hokowhitu block, increasing the area of land available for settlement. In the same year, the Public Hospital opened in a wooden building on Terrace Street (now Ruahine Street). The hospital required significant fundraising. At the end of the decade, the Boer War broke out in South Africa and men from Palmerston North were among the volunteers.{{cite web |url=http://www.pncc.govt.nz/about/history/1890s/ |title=1890s |website=www.pncc.govt.nz |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130209030624/http://www.pncc.govt.nz/about/history/1890s/ |archive-date=9 February 2013}}

By 1900 the population had reached 6,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.pncc.govt.nz/About/History/Detail.aspx?id=2043|title=1890s|publisher=Palmerston North City Council|access-date=4 July 2008|archive-date=9 January 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100109173013/http://www.pncc.govt.nz/About/History/Detail.aspx?id=2043|url-status=dead}} In the 1910s, Palmerston North's growth was steady. The population in 1911 about 10,991 (excluding Māori).{{cite web|url=http://www.pncc.govt.nz/About/History/Detail.aspx?id=2043|title=1910s|publisher=Palmerston North City Council|access-date=13 November 2012|archive-date=9 January 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100109173013/http://www.pncc.govt.nz/About/History/Detail.aspx?id=2043|url-status=dead}} The city was affected by World War I, with Awapuni Racecourse being used as an army training camp in 1914. During the course of the war, the Borough Council renamed all German-sounding and foreign street names. When the war finished in 1918, celebrations were delayed due to the Influenza epidemic.

In 1930, the population reached the 20,000 threshold and Palmerston North was officially proclaimed a city, the 7th in New Zealand. Development was slow due to the Great Depression and World War II. An airport was established at Milson in 1936, which is now Palmerston North Airport. From 1938, the First Labour government (1935–1949) initiated state housing programmes in West End (Savage Crescent precinct) and Roslyn.

File:Hoffman Continuous Kiln Palmerston North MRD 01.jpg

In 1941, the Manawatū River flooded again, having last flooded in 1902. Large parts of Hokowhitu and Awapuni were underwater, with residents evacuating to higher ground (peaked at 5.8m).

In 1940, the Māori Battalion was formed in Palmerston North and trained at the Showgrounds (now Arena Manawatu). In 1942, Linton Army Camp was established. After the war, the city's growth was rapid. In 1949, the city's boundaries had extended to include Milson and Kelvin Grove.{{Cite web|title=Palmerston North City Boundary alterations 1877 to 1967|url= https://manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz/item/9d3851fb-1250-499b-b1a4-54b2937d4ff4|access-date=31 December 2021|website=manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz|language=en}} In 1953, the boundaries would further extend to include Awapuni, which in the same year, was again flooded by the Manawatū River, along with Hokowhitu. It was the largest flood since 1902.

Although work had started in 1926, it was not until 1959 the Milson Deviation of the North Island Main Trunk was opened. This meant future trains would pass to the north of the city, instead of through the Square. Later in 1963, the railway station at Tremaine Avenue opens. The last trains passed through the Square in 1964.

In 1961, the Highbury was added to the council area. In 1963, Massey University College of Manawatu was formed by the amalgamation of the Massey Agricultural College with the Palmerston North University College. In 1964, it became Massey University, an autonomous tertiary learning institution with the power to grant its own degrees.

In 1967, city boundaries were again extended to include land in Aokautere, Kelvin Grove, Milson, Amberley (Westbrook) and Awapuni as part of future growth for the next 25 years.

In 1969, volunteers established the Esplanade Scenic Railway at Victoria Esplanade. The railway features a 2.2 km (1.4 mi) miniature railway track offering 20-minute rides through native bush.{{cite web|url= https://www.esplanaderail.org.nz/|title=The Coolest Scenic Railway Experience in the Manawatu|publisher=Palmerston North Esplanade Scenic Railway|access-date=28 May 2021}}

In 1970, the New Zealand Rugby Museum was established and a tribute to the founding father of rugby in New Zealand, Charles Munro, was opened at Massey University.

In 1971, a competition to design a civic building for the vacant railway land at the Square, was won by Wellington architects, Maurice and John Patience. The resulting building was finished in 1979. In 1976, the Manawatu and Oroua rivers flooded, 24-hour rainfall records in Feilding and Palmerston North were exceeded and some residents from both locations were evacuated.

In 1977, Palmerston North City Council celebrated its Centenary of Municipal government. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are among visitors to Palmerston North.

On 1 November 1989, New Zealand local government authorities were reorganised. Palmerston North City boundaries were extended to include Ashhurst, Linton and Turitea through amalgamation of parts of the former Kairanga County, Oroua County and Ashhurst Town Council.

On 1 July 2012, Bunnythorpe, Longburn, part of the area around Kairanga and an area around Ashhurst were transferred from the Manawatū District to Palmerston North City.{{Cite web|title=Local Government (Manawatu District and Palmerston North City) Boundary Alteration Order 2012 – 2012-go3215 – New Zealand Gazette|url= https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2012-go3215|access-date=11 November 2020|website=gazette.govt.nz}}{{Cite news |date=4 May 2012|title=City takes 1100 properties|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/your-manawatu/feilding-herald/6854427/City-takes-1100-properties|access-date=11 November 2020|website=Stuff |language=en}}

File:Palmerston north city.jpg

Although the land Palmerston North is situated on is bounded by the lofty Ruahine and Tararua ranges in the east and south respectively, the city has a predominantly flat appearance. The occasional rise in elevation occurs further away from the river and is especially pronounced in the north and northeast, and also on the south side of the river. The typical urban area elevation ranges between 20 and 40 metres (65–130 ft) above sea level.

The highest point is {{convert|760|m|ft|0}} above sea level. This is in the Tararua ranges, south-east of Scotts Road.{{cite web|url=http://www.pncc.govt.nz/media/2663454/3__landscape_values_plg_prov_landscape_te_mata_c_anstey.pdf|title=PNCC Landscape Values and Planning Provisions:Te Mata Landscape Assessment|publisher=Palmerston North City Council|access-date=4 October 2015|archive-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018052200/http://www.pncc.govt.nz/media/2663454/3__landscape_values_plg_prov_landscape_te_mata_c_anstey.pdf|url-status=dead}}

The lowest point is {{convert|10|m|ft|0}} above sea level. This is at the river bank near Te Puna Road. Incidentally, both these locations are in the south-west of the city, by Linton.

There are {{convert|5.54|km2|acre|0}} dedicated to public reserves.

The length of the Manawatū river within the city boundary is {{convert|29.9|km}} and its tributary at Ashhurst, the Pohangina, is {{convert|2.6|km}}.

Palmerston North's climate is temperate (Köppen Cfb), with warm summer afternoon temperatures of 20 – {{convert|22|C|F|0}} in summer and {{convert|12|C|F|0}} in winter. On average temperatures rise above {{convert|25|C|F|0}} on 20 days of the year. Annual rainfall is approximately {{convert|960|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} with rain occurring approximately 5% of the time. There are on average 200 rain-free days each year.{{Cite journal|last=Chappell|first=P.R|date=2015|title=The Climate and Weather of Manawatu – Wanganui|url= https://www.niwa.co.nz/sites/niwa.co.nz/files/NIWA_ManawatuWanganui_Climate_WEB.PDF|journal=NIWA Science and Technology Series|volume=2nd Ed.|via=NIWA}}

In the ranges that flank the city there is often sustained wind, especially in spring. Much of this land is within the city boundaries, and these ranges have the reputation of providing the most consistent wind in the country.{{Cite news |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/73147296/undefined|title=Is Palmerston North the windiest city in New Zealand?|website=Stuff |date=19 October 2015|language=en|access-date=20 June 2019}}

Close to the city is the largest electricity-generating series of wind farms in the southern hemisphere, with 286 turbines in the Tararua and Ruahine Ranges providing power for approximately 50,000 homes.

{{Weather box

|location = Palmerston North (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1928–present)

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

| Jan record high C = 32.5

| Feb record high C = 33.0

| Mar record high C = 31.3

| Apr record high C = 28.4

| May record high C = 25.6

| Jun record high C = 20.9

| Jul record high C = 19.6

| Aug record high C = 22.8

| Sep record high C = 22.4

| Oct record high C = 26.2

| Nov record high C = 28.7

| Dec record high C = 31.7

| year record high C = 33.0

| Jan avg record high C = 28.3

| Feb avg record high C = 28.0

| Mar avg record high C = 26.9

| Apr avg record high C = 23.6

| May avg record high C = 20.8

| Jun avg record high C = 17.9

| Jul avg record high C = 16.7

| Aug avg record high C = 17.5

| Sep avg record high C = 19.6

| Oct avg record high C = 21.3

| Nov avg record high C = 24.1

| Dec avg record high C = 26.3

| year avg record high C = 29.3

|Jan high C = 22.6

|Feb high C = 23.2

|Mar high C = 21.6

|Apr high C = 18.7

|May high C = 16.0

|Jun high C = 13.5

|Jul high C = 12.9

|Aug high C = 13.8

|Sep high C = 15.1

|Oct high C = 16.5

|Nov high C = 18.3

|Dec high C = 20.9

| year high C = 17.8

|Jan mean C = 17.9

|Feb mean C = 18.4

|Mar mean C = 16.7

|Apr mean C = 14.0

|May mean C = 11.7

|Jun mean C = 9.4

|Jul mean C = 8.8

|Aug mean C = 9.5

|Sep mean C = 11.0

|Oct mean C = 12.5

|Nov mean C = 14.0

|Dec mean C = 16.5

| year mean C = 13.4

|Jan low C = 13.1

|Feb low C = 13.6

|Mar low C = 11.7

|Apr low C = 9.2

|May low C = 7.3

|Jun low C = 5.2

|Jul low C = 4.7

|Aug low C = 5.2

|Sep low C = 6.8

|Oct low C = 8.4

|Nov low C = 9.7

|Dec low C = 12.1

| year low C = 8.9

| Jan avg record low C = 5.8

| Feb avg record low C = 7.1

| Mar avg record low C = 4.5

| Apr avg record low C = 1.8

| May avg record low C = -0.6

| Jun avg record low C = -1.6

| Jul avg record low C = -2.0

| Aug avg record low C = -1.1

| Sep avg record low C = -0.4

| Oct avg record low C = 0.8

| Nov avg record low C = 2.7

| Dec avg record low C = 5.7

| year avg record low C = -2.8

|Jan record low C = 0.5

|Feb record low C = 0.0

|Mar record low C = -1.5

|Apr record low C = -3.6

|May record low C = -3.9

|Jun record low C = -6.9

|Jul record low C = -6.7

|Aug record low C = -6.0

|Sep record low C = -3.9

|Oct record low C = -3.6

|Nov record low C = -2.1

|Dec record low C = 0.0

|year record low C = -6.9

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 58.7

|Feb rain mm = 68.6

|Mar rain mm = 57.4

|Apr rain mm = 83.6

|May rain mm = 87.2

|Jun rain mm = 95.5

|Jul rain mm = 87.5

|Aug rain mm = 83.5

|Sep rain mm = 89.0

|Oct rain mm = 96.3

|Nov rain mm = 86.3

|Dec rain mm = 89.9

|year rain mm =

| Jan rain days = 8.2

| Feb rain days = 6.8

| Mar rain days = 7.3

| Apr rain days = 9.1

| May rain days = 10.4

| Jun rain days = 12.0

| Jul rain days = 11.6

| Aug rain days = 12.7

| Sep rain days = 11.8

| Oct rain days = 12.4

| Nov rain days = 9.9

| Dec rain days = 10.2

| unit rain days = 1.0 mm

|Jan sun = 207.3

|Feb sun = 186.5

|Mar sun = 184.1

|Apr sun = 146.3

|May sun = 116.0

|Jun sun = 91.3

|Jul sun = 110.9

|Aug sun = 126.1

|Sep sun = 130.4

|Oct sun = 139.1

|Nov sun = 163.4

|Dec sun = 170.3

|year sun =

| Jan percentsun =45

| Feb percentsun =49

| Mar percentsun =48

| Apr percentsun =44

| May percentsun =38

| Jun percentsun =33

| Jul percentsun =37

| Aug percentsun =38

| Sep percentsun =37

| Oct percentsun =34

| Nov percentsun =38

| Dec percentsun =37

| year percentsun =

| Jan light = 14.7

| Feb light = 13.6

| Mar light = 12.3

| Apr light = 11.0

| May light = 9.9

| Jun light = 9.3

| Jul light = 9.6

| Aug light = 10.6

| Sep light = 11.8

| Oct light = 13.2

| Nov light = 14.4

| Dec light = 15.0

| year light=

| Jan humidity = 77.2

| Feb humidity = 78.1

| Mar humidity = 80.7

| Apr humidity = 80.9

| May humidity = 85.7

| Jun humidity = 87.8

| Jul humidity = 87.4

| Aug humidity = 84.9

| Sep humidity = 78.9

| Oct humidity = 80.5

| Nov humidity = 77.2

| Dec humidity = 76.6

|source 1 = NIWA Climate Data{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240520001949/https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities

| archive-date = 20 May 2024

| url = https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities

| title = Climate data and activities

| publisher= NIWA

| access-date = 20 May 2024}}{{cite web

|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/

|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 3236, 3238, 3243, 21963)

|publisher = NIWA

|access-date = 20 Jul 2024}}

|source 2 = Weather Spark{{cite web

|url = https://weatherspark.com/y/144904/Average-Weather-in-Palmerston-North-New-Zealand-Year-Round

|title = Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Palmerston North

|publisher = Weather Spark

|access-date = 10 Dec 2024}}

}}

Palmerston North City covers {{Convert|394.74|km2||abbr=on}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Palmerston North city|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Palmerston North city|y}}|R}}/394.74|0}} people per km². This comprises {{NZ population data 2018|Palmerston North|y}} people in the Palmerston North urban area, {{NZ population data 2018|Ashhurst|y}} people in the Ashhurst urban area, and {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Palmerston North city|y}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Palmerston North|y}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Ashhurst|y}}|R}}|0}} people in the surrounding settlements and rural area.

{{Historical populations

|percentages = pagr |align=left|title=Historical population for the territorial authority

|source ={{cite web |url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/infoshare/SelectVariables.aspx?pxID=2f5a6aa2-7aeb-4792-a34a-d5567eb8082f |title=Infoshare; Group: Population Estimates – DPE; Table: Estimated Resident Population for Urban Areas, at 30 June (1996+) (Annual-Jun) |publisher=Statistics New Zealand |access-date=17 June 2015}}{{NZ census 2018|Palmerston North City (040)|palmerston-north-city|Palmerston North City}}

|1996 |76000

|2001 |75900

|2006 |77727

|2013 |80079

|2018 |84639

|2023|87,090

}}

Palmerston North City had a population of 87,090 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 2,451 people (2.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 7,011 people (8.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 42,453 males, 44,166 females and 471 people of other genders in 31,776 dwellings.{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.040.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}} 4.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 35.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 16,899 people (19.4%) aged under 15 years, 19,401 (22.3%) aged 15 to 29, 37,125 (42.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 13,665 (15.7%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 73.8% European (Pākehā); 20.7% Māori; 5.9% Pasifika; 14.4% Asian; 1.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.7%, Māori language by 5.0%, Samoan by 1.0% and other languages by 14.2%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.9%. The percentage of people born overseas was 21.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 31.9% Christian, 2.2% Hindu, 1.8% Islam, 1.1% Māori religious beliefs, 1.1% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 1.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 52.8%, and 7.0% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 13,860 (19.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 37,113 (52.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 15,489 (22.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $40,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6,591 people (9.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 35,859 (51.1%) people were employed full-time, 9,570 (13.6%) were part-time, and 2,154 (3.1%) were unemployed.{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.040.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Palmerston North City (040)}}

File:2023 NZ Census Population Density - Palmerston North City.png

Palmerston North's urban area covers {{Convert|77.05|km2||abbr=on}}{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=16 October 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Palmerston North|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Palmerston North|y}}|R}}/77.05|0}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2013|72,345|2018|76,281|2023|78,021|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for the urban area|source=}}

The urban area had a population of 78,021 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,740 people (2.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 5,676 people (7.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 37,860 males, 39,717 females and 441 people of other genders in 28,620 dwellings.{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1364.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}} 4.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 35.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 14,958 people (19.2%) aged under 15 years, 17,955 (23.0%) aged 15 to 29, 32,868 (42.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 12,243 (15.7%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 72.1% European (Pākehā); 21.1% Māori; 6.3% Pasifika; 15.5% Asian; 1.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.5%, Māori language by 5.2%, Samoan by 1.0% and other languages by 15.0%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.9%. The percentage of people born overseas was 22.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 31.9% Christian, 2.4% Hindu, 2.0% Islam, 1.2% Māori religious beliefs, 1.2% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 1.7% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 52.3%, and 6.9% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 12,585 (20.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 33,063 (52.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 14,070 (22.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $39,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 5,601 people (8.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 31,872 (50.5%) people were employed full-time, 8,481 (13.4%) were part-time, and 2,007 (3.2%) were unemployed.{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1364.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Palmerston North (1364)}}

{{main|Palmerston North City Council}}

File:Palmerston North Civic Administration Building.JPG

Palmerston North is governed by a city council consisting of the Mayor and 15 councillors, elected on a citywide basis.{{Cite news|title=Mayor and Councillors|language=en|url= https://www.pncc.govt.nz/council-city/about-council/mayor-and-councillors/|access-date=17 November 2018}}

In 2017 the Council voted to create a Māori ward, but the decision was overturned by a city-wide referendum in May 2018.{{Cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Kirsty |date=20 May 2018 |title=Palmerston North mayor disappointed Māori wards rejected |language=en |work=Manawatu Standard |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/104055151/ |access-date=7 September 2019}}

In 2021, Palmerston North City Council decided to establish Māori and general wards under the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2021.{{Cite web |title=Māori wards |url= https://www.pncc.govt.nz/Participate-Palmy/Elections/Maori-wards |access-date=16 April 2023 |website=www.pncc.govt.nz |language=en-AU}} Starting in 2022, there is a Māori ward called Te Pūao Ward, with two councillors; and a general ward called Te Hirawanui Ward, with 13 councillors.

Before the 2016 election councillors were elected representing one of five city wards, but Palmerston North's electoral wards were abolished by the Local Government Commission in 2013. The 2013 election also saw the single transferable vote (STV) system introduced, replacing first past the post (FPP).

The council's functions are broken down into six units: Planning, Customer, Finance, People & Performance, Infrastructure, and Chief Executive.{{Cite web |title=Executive leadership team |url= https://www.pncc.govt.nz/Council/About-Council/Executive-leadership-team |access-date=16 April 2023 |website=www.pncc.govt.nz |language=en-AU}}

The Chief Executive is Waid Crockett, who replaced Heather Shotter in 2022.{{Cite web |title=New Chief Executive announced for Palmerston North City Council |url= https://www.pncc.govt.nz/News-Events/News/New-Chief-Executive-announced-for-PNCC |access-date=16 April 2023 |website=www.pncc.govt.nz |language=en-AU}}

{{main|Horizons Regional Council}}

Palmerston North is the seat of the council.

For electoral and regional representation purposes, Palmerston North City constitutes the Palmerston North constituency and is represented by 4 councillors:

Palmerston North Constituency Councillors as at the 2019 election:

• Wiremu Te Awe Awe
• Jono Naylor
• Fiona Gordon
• Rachel Keedwell

Palmerston North is covered by two general electorates and one Māori electorate.

The Palmerston North electorate covers the Palmerston North urban area north of the Manawatū River. The Rangitīkei electorate covers the remainder of the territorial authority, including the Palmerston North urban area south of the Manawatū River.{{Cite web|title=Electorate Map|url= https://vote.nz/map/index.html?id=7&modified=20201023163116|access-date=12 November 2020|website=vote.nz}} Since the 2023 general election, the electorates have been held by Tangi Utikere of the Labour Party and Suze Redmayne of the National Party respectively.{{cite web |title=2023 General Election – Official Result |url= https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-status.html |website=Electoral Commission |access-date=23 November 2023}} The Te Tai Hauaūru Māori electorate, held by Debbie Ngarewa-Packer of the Te Pāti Māori Party, covers Palmerston North.

The Palmerston North Courthouse in Main Street (east) is a combined District and High Court and serves the city and surrounding area.{{cite web|title=Finding your local court – Ministry of Justice, New Zealand|url=http://www.justice.govt.nz/services/finding-your-local-court/finding-your-local-court#Palmerston-North-Court|access-date=19 June 2015|publisher=Justice.govt.nz}}

Although Palmerston North has 1.9% of the population of New Zealand, 2.5% of the nation's employees work in the city. The important sectors are tertiary education, research and central government (Defence force).{{cite web |url=http://www.pncc.govt.nz/about/economy/economy-of-palmerston-north/ |title=Economy of Palmerston North |website=www.pncc.govt.nz |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120513160332/http://www.pncc.govt.nz/about/economy/economy-of-palmerston-north/ |archive-date=13 May 2012}}

At the 2013 census, the largest employment industries for Palmerston North residents were health care and social assistance (4,686 people, 13.0%), education and training (4,473 people, 12.4%), retail trade (4,062 people, 11.2%), public administration and safety (3,636 people, 10.1%), and manufacturing (2,703 people, 7.5%).{{cite web |title= 2013 Census QuickStats about work and unpaid activities |url= http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Census/2013%20Census/profile-and-summary-reports/qs-work-unpaid/2013-census-qs-work-unpaid-activities-tables.xls |publisher= Statistics New Zealand |date= 31 March 2015 |access-date= 22 May 2017 |archive-date= 15 November 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151115203256/http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Census/2013%20Census/profile-and-summary-reports/qs-work-unpaid/2013-census-qs-work-unpaid-activities-tables.xls |url-status= dead }}

The tertiary education sector provides NZ$500 million a year to the local economy and the education sector accounted for 11.3%{{cite web |url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/592B0521-E31C-45E9-9F14-E436E5A3319D/0/Sep07_PalmerstonNorthCity.pdf |title=Palmerston North City: Quarterly Review |website=www.stats.govt.nz |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080410225751/http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/592B0521-E31C-45E9-9F14-E436E5A3319D/0/Sep07_PalmerstonNorthCity.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2008}} of the Palmerston North workforce in February 2006.

Palmerston North has economic strengths in research, especially in the bio-industry, defence, distribution and smart business sectors. The city is home to more than 70 major educational and research institutions, including New Zealand's fastest expanding university, Massey University; the Massey University Sport and Recreation Institute at the Massey University campus, Turitea; Universal College of Learning (UCOL) and Linton Army Camp.

Palmerston North has a long history of innovation in the business sector. A number of firms founded in or near the city have become nationally or internationally renowned. One of the largest and well known of these is GSK (GlaxoSmithKline).{{cite web |url=http://www.pncc.govt.nz/about/innovation/innovation-in-palmerston-north/ |title=Innovation in Palmerston North |website=www.pncc.govt.nz |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120923212932/http://www.pncc.govt.nz/about/innovation/innovation-in-palmerston-north/ |archive-date=23 September 2012}} Glaxo had its beginnings in Bunnythorpe, now a part of Palmerston North.

Companies with national head offices currently or previously based in Palmerston North include:

• Toyota New Zealand{{Cite news |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/109172104/toyota-new-zealand-completes-first-phase-of-palmerston-north-base-upgrades|title=Toyota New Zealand completes first phase of Palmerston North base upgrades|first=Paul|last=Mitchell|date=7 December 2018|website=Stuff }}
• Higgins Group{{Cite news |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/81961167/commerce-commision-nod-another-milestone-on-road-to-fletcherhiggins-merger|title=Commerce {{as written|Commi|sion [sic]}} nod another milestone on road to Fletcher-Higgins merger|first=Paul|last=Mitchell|date=11 July 2016|website=Stuff }}
• FMG Insurance{{Cite news |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/98855577/end-of-an-era-as-fmg-logo-pulled-from-palmerston-norths-tallest-tower|title='End of an era' as FMG logo pulled from Palmerston North's tallest tower|first=Paul|last=Mitchell|date=14 November 2017|website=Stuff }}
• New Zealand Pharmaceuticals Limited{{Cite web|url= https://www.icepharma.com/nzp/|title=New Zealand Pharmaceuticals (NZP) – an ICE Pharma Company|website=ICE Pharma}}{{Cite news |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/81164769/protesters-greet-tppa-roadshow-in-palmerston-north|title=Big Manawatu employer NZ Pharmaceuticals backs TPPA|first=Paul|last=Mitchell|date=17 June 2016|website=Stuff }}
• Plumbing World Limited
• Steelfort Engineering Limited{{Cite web|url= https://steelfort.co.nz/about-us/|title=About Us|website=Steelfort}}
• Hino Distributors (NZ) Ltd{{Cite web|url= https://hino.co.nz/about-us/|title=About Us – Hino Trucks|website=hino.co.nz}}
• Hunting and Fishing New Zealand. Andy Tannock opened the first Hunting & Fishing New Zealand store in Palmerston North in 1986.{{Cite web|url= https://www.huntingandfishing.co.nz/our-story|title=Our Story Hunting & Fishing NZ|website=Hunting & Fishing}}
• Norwood Distributors Ltd{{Cite news |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/manawatu-guardian/news/palmerston-north-based-c-b-norwood-distributors-chief-executive-tim-myers-resigns/P77PD74TLJHBFHQ3VHHPINDE4Q/|title=New Tim takes steering wheel at Norwood|date=31 December 2023|website=The New Zealand Herald }}
• Sime Darby Commercial (NZ) Ltd
• Motor Truck Distributors (NZ) Ltd (National distributors of Mack, Renault and Volvo Trucks & Buses). Ron Carpenter, the owner of Palmerston North Motors, which became Motor Truck Distributors, brought the Mack brand to New Zealand when the Government removed import licensing in 1972.{{Cite news |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/300716220/mack-trucks-50year-milestone-to-be-celebrated-at-manfeild-show|title=Mack trucks' 50-year milestone to be celebrated at Manfeild show|first=Manawatū|last=reporter|date=19 October 2022|website=Stuff }}
• Truck Stops (NZ) Ltd{{Cite web|url= https://www.truckstops.co.nz/contact/head-office|title=Head Office – Truckstops|date=27 March 2023|website=www.truckstops.co.nz}}
• OBO{{Cite news |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/108644029/palmerston-north-sports-gear-maker-obo-honoured-with-lifetime-service-award|title=Palmerston North sports gear maker Obo honoured with lifetime service award|first=Paul|last=Mitchell|date=17 November 2018|website=Stuff }}
• Greentech Robotics{{Cite news |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/300112858/greentech-robotics-weedpulling-robot-weedspider-targets-us-market|title=Greentech Robotics' weed-pulling robot WeedSpider targets US market|first=Paul|last=Mitchell|date=22 September 2020|website=Stuff }}

The well-known retailer EziBuy was established in Palmerston North in 1978 by brothers Peter and Gerard Gillespie and operated successfully for many years. The Gillespies sold the business to Woolworths Limited in 2013 when it was the largest fashion and homeware multi-channel retailer in Australasia, mailing over 23 million catalogues and processing more than 1.75 million orders annually.{{Cite web|url= https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/woolies-snaps-up-kiwi-retailer-ezibuy-20130822-2sdgk.html|title=Woolies snaps up Kiwi retailer EziBuy|first=Richard|last=Meadows|date=22 August 2013|website=The Sydney Morning Herald }} After a number of subsequent changes of ownership the business was put into liquidation in July 2023 with creditors owed more than $100 million.{{Cite web|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/132589094/online-retailer-ezibuy-goes-into-liquidation-owing-more-than-100m|title=Online retailer Ezibuy goes into liquidation owing more than $100m|first=Esther|last=Taunton|date=20 July 2023|website=Stuff }}

{{More citations needed|section|date=November 2018}}

Palmerston North has a number of facilities and attractions. It is also the gateway to attractions in other parts of the region, such as Tongariro National Park, Ruahine and Tararua Ranges. When Palmerston North Airport serviced international flights, the city was also an international gateway to Hawke's Bay, Whanganui and Taranaki.

The Plaza Shopping Centre is the largest shopping mall in the Manawatū-Whanganui region and a key shopping centre in the lower North Island, boasting over 100 stores. The mall was originally developed by the Premier Drapery Company (PDC) department store and opened in 1986 as the PDC Plaza. After PDC went into receivership in 1988, the mall was sold and assumed its current name in 1990.{{cite news|last=White|first=Tina|date=15 September 2017|title=Co-ops became an institution, with membership peaking in the 1960s|work=Stuff |publisher=Manawatu Standard|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/lifestyle/96817144/Co-ops-became-an-institution-with-membership-peaking-in-the-1960s}} The shopping centre underwent refurbishment and expansion between 2008 and 2010.{{cite news|date=5 March 2009|title=First stage of Plaza upgrade opens|work=Manawatu Standard|publisher=Fairfax New Zealand|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/2000059/First-stage-of-Plaza-upgrade-opens|access-date=19 March 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121018191116/http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/2000059/First-stage-of-Plaza-upgrade-opens|url-status=live|archive-date=18 October 2012}}

Downtown on Broadway combines retail and boutique shopping and Event Cinemas.

File:Te Marae o Hine The Square, 1908.jpg

File:Palmerston North, Square Edge.jpg

Originally part of the Papaioea clearing, The Square is a seven-hectare park of lawn, trees, lakes, fountains, and gardens in the centre of the city. It is the city's original park and also the centrepoint from whence the city's main streets are arranged.

The Square contains the city's war memorial and a memorial dedicated to Te Peeti Te Aweawe, the Rangitāne chief instrumental in the sale of Palmerston North district to the government in 1865.{{cite web|url=http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=1T27 |title=Te Aweawe, Te Peeti – Biography – Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |publisher=Dnzb.govt.nz |access-date=19 June 2015}}

Near the centre of the park is the Hopwood Clock Tower with its illuminated cross and coloured lights. Also here is the city's iSite, the Civic Building (seat of the City Council), the City Library, Square Edge and the commercial heart of Palmerston North's CBD. Retail stores (including the Plaza) and eateries line the road surrounding the park.

In around 1878, a Māori contingent, including Te Aweawe, gathered together to choose a Māori name for The Square. They chose Te Marae o Hine, meaning "The Courtyard of the Daughter of Peace". This name reflected their hope that all people of all races would live together in enduring peace.

File:Palmerston North City Flag (Displayed).JPG

Palmerston North and its surroundings feature roughly 100 parks and reserves.

File:Dugald McKenzie Rose Garden, Dec 2019.jpg

Most notable is Victoria Esplanade, a {{convert|26|ha|adj=on}} park located along the northern bank of the Manawatū River west of Fitzherbert Avenue. It was opened in 1897 to commemorate the 60th Jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign, and includes a native bush reserve along the river bank, formal botanical gardens, playgrounds and the Café Esplanade, all connected with walking and bicycle tracks.{{cite web

| title = Victoria Esplanade

| publisher = Palmerston North City Council

| access-date = 2 September 2019

| url = https://www.pncc.govt.nz/services/parks-venues-recreation/parksandreserves/victoria-esplanade/

}} Located within the Esplanade are several attractions. The Peter Black Conservatory is a large tropical greenhouse built in 1941 and refurbished in 2014. The Wildbase Recovery visitor centre and aviary for recovering wildlife opened in 2019 and is run in partnership with Massey University's Veterinary Hospital.{{cite news

| title = Palmerston North's Wildbase Recovery Centre opens up for public tours

| last = Mitchell | first = Paul

| work= Manawatu Standard

| date = 17 February 2019

| access-date = 2 September 2019

| url = https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/110645434/palmerston-norths-wildbase-recovery-centre-opens-up-for-public-tours

}} The volunteer-operated Esplanade Scenic Railway features a {{convert|2.2|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} miniature railway track offering 20-minute rides through native bush. New Zealand's largest rose garden, the {{convert|1.7|ha|adj=on}} Dugald McKenzie Rose Garden, is the site of the New Zealand international rose trials and contributed to the city's one-time nickname, "Rose City". It was recognised in 2003 by the World Federation of Rose Societies as one of the finest rose gardens in the world.{{cite web

| url = http://www.nzroses.org.nz/dugald-mackenzie-rose-garden/

| title = Dugald Mackenzie Rose Garden – Palmerston North

| publisher = The New Zealand Rose Society

| date = 14 January 2011

| access-date = 2 September 2019}}

Adjacent to the Esplanade are the multi-sport playing fields of Ongley and Manawaroa Parks, the twin turf hockey fields and Fitzherbert Park, the premier cricket ground.

Elsewhere in the city are parks for sports like rugby, such as Coronation Park, Bill Brown Park and Colquhoun Park (also used for softball/baseball); and football: Skoglund Park (home of the Central Football Federation) and Celaeno Park. The Hokowhitu Lagoon is also located nearby the Esplanade and is a popular site for recreational kayaking and canoeing.

The Lido Aquatic Centre is Palmerston North's largest aquatic centre. Freyberg Community Pool is an all-year indoor swimming pool complex located next to Freyberg High School in Roslyn.

Memorial Park has a splash pad, pool, playground, football pitch and a duck pond, within easy reach of the city centre.

File:He Ara Kotahi Bridge, side view.jpg

The city council since 2012 has been beautifying the banks of the Manawatū River, opening up previously neglected areas into more accessible recreational parks and reserves. Part of this development is He Ara Kotahi, a {{convert|7.1|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} pedestrian and cycle track that connects the city to Massey University, adjacent research institutes and Linton Military Camp, all located on the south side of the Manawatū River.{{Cite web

| title = He Ara Kotahi

| publisher = Palmerston North City Council

| access-date = 3 September 2019

| url = https://www.pncc.govt.nz/services/parks-venues-recreation/walks-and-walkways/he-ara-kotahi/

}} The opening in 2019 included the opening of Palmerston North's second bridge, a {{convert|194|m|adj=on}} pedestrian bridge connecting the Holiday Park on Dittmer Drive to the track across the river. As well as a recreational asset, He Ara Kotahi was designed to be a pedestrian and cycle commuter route between the city bridge and Massey University, to improve safety and relieve vehicle traffic volumes on the Fitzherbert Bridge. The remainder of the track to Linton crosses tributary streams with boardwalks and four smaller bridges.{{Cite news

| title = He Ara Kotahi bridge and pathway opens

| last = Rankin | first = Janine

| work= Manawatu Standard

| date = 7 June 2019

| access-date = 3 September 2019

| url = https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/113305381/he-ara-kotahi-bridge-and-pathway-opens

}}

Palmerston North has a main public library with five branches and one mobile library. The central Palmerston North Library is located in the Square and houses the main collections. The other four are located in Ashhurst, Awapuni, Linton, Roslyn and Te Pātikitiki (Highbury).

Near the Square is the Youth Space, which opened in September 2011 as a dedicated place for Palmerston North's many young people to congregate in a safe environment.{{cite web |title=Youth Space |url=http://www.pncc.govt.nz/servicesandfacilities/facilities/youth-space/youth-space/ |website=www.pncc.govt.nz |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121104131629/http://www.pncc.govt.nz/servicesandfacilities/facilities/youth-space/youth-space/ |archive-date=4 November 2012}} Youth space is free to all, and provides table-tennis, gaming consoles, musical instruments, library books, iPads, a kitchen, and other services.

Te Manawa is the cultural museum of art, science and history. Attached to Te Manawa is the New Zealand Rugby Museum. There are many small independent galleries.

Many of New Zealand's best-known artists came from or live in Palmerston North. The list includes Rita Angus, John Bevan Ford, Shane Cotton, Paul Dibble, Pat Hanly, Brent Harris, Bob Jahnke, John Panting, Carl Sydow and Tim Wilson.{{cite web|url=http://www.creativegiants.co.nz |title=Palmerston North Artists |publisher=Creativegiants.co.nz |access-date=19 June 2015}} Palmerston North's first artist in residence was Hinerangitoariari in 1992.{{Cite news|last=Nelson|first=Neil|date=15 December 1992|title=Belcher named city's resident artist|work=Evening Standard|url= https://collections.library.auckland.ac.nz/inzart/pdf/92_0666.pdf}}

File:The_Twelfth_Man_PLAY_POSTER_(cropped).png

Palmerston North houses multiple theatres which regularly host musical performances, theatrical plays and formal events. These theatres include

• Regent on Broadway Theatre is a 1393-seat multipurpose performing arts facility.{{cite web|url=http://www.regent.co.nz/ |title=The Regent on Broadway – Home |publisher=Regent.co.nz |access-date=19 June 2015}}
• Centrepoint Theatre is a prominent professional theatre and the only one outside the main centres of New Zealand.{{cite web|url=http://www.centrepoint.co.nz/aboutus.html|title=About Us – Centrepoint Theatre|publisher=Centrepoint.co.nz|access-date=19 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150619221111/http://www.centrepoint.co.nz/aboutus.html|archive-date=19 June 2015}}
• Globe Theatre is a small community theatre of around 200 seats, opened in November 1982 as a partnership between the City Council and the Manawatu Theatre Society: both parties contributed capital funds to enable the building to be constructed. The building was designed by local architect, Brian Elliot, who returned to design the Theatre's major redevelopments in 2014, with the addition of a second auditorium and an extension to the foyer and café/bar area. The redevelopment won a New Zealand Architecture Award for Elliot's work.{{Cite web|url= https://www.globetheatre.co.nz/content/about-globe|title = About the Globe | Globe Theatre}}

Top comics including John Clarke, Jon Bridges, Jeremy Corbett, Tom Scott all come from Palmerston North as do stage, television and film performers Paul Barrett, Shane Cortese, Kate Louise Elliott, Simon Ferry, Greg Johnson, Jeff Kingsford-Brown and Alison Quigan and drag performer Spankie Jackzon.{{Cite web |date=13 October 2023 |title=Regional Wrap: Balmy in Palmy with Spankie Jackzon |url= https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/culture-101/audio/2018910987/regional-wrap-balmy-in-palmy-with-spankie-jackzon |access-date=17 April 2024 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}

Palmerston North has a thriving musical scene, with many national and international acts touring through the town, and many local acts performing regularly.

Local groups include the Manawatu Sinfonia and Manawatu Youth Orchestra (MYO) who perform throughout the year. The Manawatu Youth Orchestra celebrated its 50th year in September 2011.

Palmerston North is also home to the Palmerston North Brass Band. Founded in 1868 by army troops stationed in the region, the Palmerston North Brass Band technically pre-dates the city of Palmerston North. In 2018, the band celebrated its 150th anniversary.{{Cite web|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/103755353/fanfare-as-palmerston-north-brass-band-players-take-out-regional-accolades|title = Fanfare as Palmerston North Brass Band players take out regional accolades|date = 14 May 2018}}

File:Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Palmerston North, New Zealand (44).JPG

Palmerston North is a cathedral city, and the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North. The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Palmerston North is its cathedral. The Diocese of Palmerston North is led by Bishop John Adams, who was consecrated in September 2023.{{Cite web|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/300912416/palmerston-north-to-get-new-catholic-bishop|title=Palmerston North to get new Catholic bishop|first=Manawatū|last=reporter|date=22 June 2023|website=Stuff }}

File:All Saints Anglican Church, Palmerston North (c.1914).JPG

In the Anglican Communion, Palmerston North is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Wellington, under Bishop Justin Duckworth. Palmerston North is also in the Anglican Hui Amorangi of Te Pīhopatanga o Te Upoko o Te Ika, under current Pīhopa Rev. Muru Walters.

There are also many other churches with denominations such as Adventist (Mosaic Community Church and Palmerston North Seventh Day Adventist Church), Apostolic, Assembly of God (AOG), Baptist, Brethren, Christian Scientist, Church of Christ, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian and Religious Society of Friends.

There are Sikh gurdwara near the CBD and in Awapuni.

There are Islamic centres in Milson and West End, and an Islamic prayer centre at Massey University.

{{Main|Sport in Manawatu}}

File:Fmgstadium.JPG]]

Participation in sport is an important and popular pastime in Palmerston North. Representation at a national level is predominantly provincial-based, meaning most sports teams representing Palmerston North also draw their players from other towns from around Manawatu.

The premier multi-sports venue in Palmerston North is Arena Manawatu, which is known as the Central Energy Trust Arena after its headline sponsors. The main stadium (Arena One) is the home of the Manawatu Turbos rugby union team and the Robertson Holden International Speedway. There are indoor venues at Arena Manawatu were netball, basketball, volleyball and Badminton are played.

Other important venues include Memorial Park, Fitzherbert Park, Celaeno Park, Manawaroa/Ongley Park, Skoglund Park, Vautier Park and Massey University sports fields.

• # : not based in Manawatu, however, home ground when playing in Manawatu.

Palmerston North Hospital is the city's main public hospital, and is the seat of the MidCentral District Health Board. The hospital is the major trauma centre for Palmerston North, Otaki, and the Manawatu, Horowhenua and Tararua districts.{{Cite web|url= https://www.majortrauma.nz/assets/Publication-Resources/Out-of-hospital-triage/3.-Major-trauma-destination-policy-Lower-North-Island-area-Feb-2017.pdf|title=New Zealand Out-of-Hospital Major Trauma Destination Policy – Lower North Island Area|date=February 2017|website=National Trauma Network/Te Hononga Whētuki ā-Motu}}

There were two private hospitals, Aorangi and Southern Cross. In 2012, these two private surgical hospitals merged and are now known as Crest Hospital.

The Palmerston North Municipal Electricity Department (MED) was formed in 1924 to supply the city with electricity. The Manawatu-Oroua Electric Power Board (EPB) supplied the surrounding rural areas. Electricity was initially generated at the Keith Street power station until the transmission lines from Mangahao Power Station to Bunnythorpe substation were completed in March 1925.{{Cite web|url= https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1925-I.2.2.3.1|title=AtoJs Online — Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives — 1925 Session I — D-01 PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT BY THE HON. J. G. COATES, MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.|website=atojs.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=28 April 2020}} The Keith Street power station continued to regularly generate electricity until the Inter-Island HVDC link was commissioned in 1965, when it was relegated to standby duty before finally being decommissioned in 1992.{{cite web|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/10694012/Historic-power-station-fires-up-its-engines-in-celebration|title=Historic power station fires up its engines in celebration|last=King|first=Kathryn|date=3 November 2014|website=Stuff }}

The Palmerston North MED and Mawawatu Oroua EPB were dissolved in the late 1990s with the government electricity sector reforms. The retail business was sold to Genesis Energy while the lines business became part of Powerco. Today, Powerco continues to operate the local distribution network,{{cite web |url= https://www.powerco.co.nz/about-us/our-business/our-networks/ |title= Our Networks |publisher=Powerco |access-date= 15 October 2018}} with electricity fed from two Transpower substations, at Bunnythorpe and at Linton. There is now a competitive electricity retail market, although Genesis continues to be the dominant retailer in the city.{{cite web |url= https://www.emi.ea.govt.nz/Retail/Reports/R_MSS_C?RegionType=NWK_REPORTING_REGION_DIST&RegionCode=21 |title= Market share snapshot |publisher=Electricity Authority |access-date= 5 November 2018}}

Three wind farms are located on the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges bordering Palmerston North: Te Āpiti Wind Farm, Tararua windfarm and Te Rere Hau Wind Farm. The three farms together have a maximum output of 300 MW.

Palmerston North was one of the original nine towns and cities in New Zealand to be supplied with natural gas when the Kapuni gas field entered production in 1970 and a 260 km high-pressure pipeline from Kapuni south to Wellington (including a 27 km lateral pipeline from Himatangi to supply Palmerston North) was completed. The high-pressure transmission pipelines supplying the city are now owned and operated by First Gas, with Powerco owning and operating the medium and low-pressure distribution pipelines within the city.{{cite web |url= http://gasindustry.co.nz/dmsdocument/5344 |title= The New Zealand Gas Story |publisher=Gas Industry Company |date= December 2016 |access-date= 13 February 2017 |archive-date= 2 February 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170202151245/http://gasindustry.co.nz/dmsdocument/5344 |url-status= dead }}

In the 2013 census, 40.5% of Palmerston North homes were heated wholly or partially by natural gas, the highest in New Zealand.{{cite web |title= 2013 Census QuickStats about housing – data tables |url= http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Census/2013%20Census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-about-housing/quickstats-housing-tables.xlsx |publisher=Statistics New Zealand |date= 18 March 2014 |access-date= 13 February 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160211172145/http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Census/2013%20Census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-about-housing/quickstats-housing-tables.xlsx |archive-date= 11 February 2016 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}

Fibre to the premises is being deployed in Palmerston North as part of the Government's Ultra-Fast Broadband programme. {{As of|2018|06}}, the fibre roll-out in the city is 94 percent complete, with a 42.2 percent uptake rate.{{cite web |url= https://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/technology-communications/fast-broadband/documents-image-library/jun-2018-quarterly-broadband-report.pdf |title= Broadband Deployment Update – June 2018 |publisher=MBIE |access-date= 12 November 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181112101243/https://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/technology-communications/fast-broadband/documents-image-library/jun-2018-quarterly-broadband-report.pdf |archive-date= 12 November 2018 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}

The majority of Palmerston North's water supply is drawn from the Turitea Stream, in the Tararua Range south of the city. The supply is supplemented by four artesian wells, at Papaioea Park, Takaro Park, Keith Street and Roberts Line.{{Cite web|title=Palmerston North boasts a ten-year history of providing safe drinking water|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/83315333/palmerston-north-boasts-a-tenyear-history-of-providing-safe-drinking-water|website=Stuff |date=19 August 2016|language=en|access-date=3 May 2020}} The waterworks first opened in 1889{{Cite web|date=16 August 1889|title=OPENINGS OF PALMERSTON NORTH WATERWORKS. NEW ZEALAND MAIL|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZMAIL18890816.2.3|access-date=10 June 2021|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} and was extended in 1906,{{Cite web|title=Palmerston North Corporation|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d23.html|access-date=4 February 2022|website=nzetc.victoria.ac.nz}} but the first sewers, septic tanks and filter beds not until 1907. The first sewage works was at Maxwells Line.{{Cite web|date=23 June 2016|title=Memory Lane: A stench in Palmerston North is dealt with in the dark of night|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/lifestyle/81389779/memory-lane-a-stench-in-palmerston-north-is-dealt-with-in-the-dark-of-night|access-date=4 February 2022|website=Stuff |language=en}} Sewage is now treated at the nearby Tōtara Road, before discharging to the river.{{Cite web|title=Wastewater|url= https://www.pncc.govt.nz/services/water/wastewater/|access-date=4 February 2022|website=www.pncc.govt.nz|language=en}} An upgrade is being planned to reduce pollution.{{Cite web|date=9 January 2022|title=Palmerston North gears up for $496m wastewater upgrade after years-long process mired in complaints of secrecy|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/127410387/palmerston-north-gears-up-for-496m-wastewater-upgrade-after-yearslong-process-mired-in-complaints-of-secrecy|access-date=4 February 2022|website=Stuff |language=en}}

Palmerston North is a significant road and rail junction. As such, it is an important distribution hub for the Central and lower North Island, with many freight distribution centres based here.

Palmerston North's arterial roads are arranged in a grid pattern. There are four main dual-carriageway roads radiating from The Square, splitting the city into four quadrants: Rangitikei Street to the north, Fitzherbert Avenue to the south, and Main Street to the east and west.

Palmerston North is served by four state highways:

• 20px State Highway 3 runs northwest–southeast from SH 1 at Sanson through central Palmerston North (via Rangitikei Street, Grey Street, Princess Street and Main Street East), to SH 2 at Woodville. The section from Sanson forms the main route from the upper North Island, Taranaki and Whanganui into Palmerston North, while the section from Woodville forms the main route from the Hawke's Bay into Palmerston North.
• 20px State Highway 57 runs southwest–northeast from SH 1 at Ohau, south of Levin, through the southern outskirts of Palmerston North to SH 3 east of Ashhurst. It forms the main route from Wellington to southern and eastern Palmerston North.
• 20px State Highway 56 runs southwest–northeast from SH 57 at Makeura, northeast of Shannon, New Zealand, to the intersection of Pioneer Highway and Maxwells Line in the suburb of Awapuni. It forms the main route from Wellington to northern and western Palmerston North.
• 20px State Highway 54 runs north–south from SH 1 at Vinegar Hill, north of Hunterville, through Feilding to SH 3 at Newbury, on the northern Palmerston North border. It provides an alternative route from the Upper North island into Palmerston North

Palmerston North is perceived as being better for cycling than most New Zealand cities, with 2001 figures putting it a close second only to Blenheim in terms of bicycle modal share.Hamilton Alternatives to Roading Study (HARTS). [http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/PageFiles/2322/HARTS_Stage4_Report5walkingandcycling.pdf "Assessment of Walking and Cycling"]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. October 2005. Retrieved 1 September 2011. However, by 2006, cycling to work had almost halved in a decade to 5.4%{{Cite web|url= https://www.pncc.govt.nz/media/2439186/cycle_action_plan.pdf|title=Report and Recommendations of the Cycle Investigation Working Party|website=pncc.govt.nz}} and the 2013 census found that, in the central city, only 6 cycled, but 690 travelled by motor vehicle.{{Cite web|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/datavisualisation/commuterview/index.html?url=/datavisualisation/commuterview/index.html#|title=SNZ Commuter View|website=archive.stats.govt.nz|access-date=22 August 2018}}

The Manawatu River Pathway is great for family or beginners riders, as it is all flat to mildly contoured, with some limestone sections, as well as wide cement paths. The track has many access points to this trail, which runs for over 9 km between Maxwells Line in the West to Riverside Drive in the East. A new 3 km section has been added between Ashhurst and Raukawa Road, with plans to link this to the existing path over the next two years, making over 22 km of scenic tracks to explore alongside the river.

Palmerston North has a fairly comprehensive 65 kmHorizons Regional Council. [http://www.horizons.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Events/Regional_Transport_Committee_Meeting/2010-12-07_100000%2F10-194-Annex-A-Annual-Report-on-the-Implementation-of-the-Regional-Land-Transport-Strategy-2006-15.pdf "Annual Report on the Implementation of the Regional Land Transport Strategy"], 2009–10. September 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2011. on-road bicycle lane network, particularly in high traffic areas, to make it safer for people to get around the city by bike.{{cite web|url=http://www.pncc.govt.nz/ServicesAndFacilities/Facilities/Cycling/Detail.aspx?id=493|title=Cycling Facilities|year=2010|publisher=Palmerston North City Council|access-date=31 August 2011}} All local buses have racks for two cycles.{{Cite web|url=http://www.horizons.govt.nz/HRC/media/Media/Bus-Route-Timetable/205094-Bus-Timetable-Booklet-July20175.pdf|title=Bus Timetable PALMERSTON NORTH URBAN|date=31 July 2017|website=horizons}}

The cycle lane network has been criticised for a number of reasons. Motor traffic is often too fast, and there is no physical barrier between bicyclists and motorists. Most bicycle lanes in the city are marked out with parking spaces for motorist parking, making those lanes 'pointless' and raising the risk of motorists opening car doors into the path of passing bicyclists.{{cite web|url=http://can.org.nz/article/cyclist-injured-in-cycle-lane-palmerston-north|title=Cyclist injured in cycle lane – Palmerston North|date=17 August 2008|publisher=CAN – Cycling Advocates Network|access-date=31 August 2011}}

Rebecca Oaten, the so-called 'Helmet Lady' who campaigned nationwide in the late 1980s for a New Zealand bicycle helmet law, is from Palmerston North.{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/national/686712/Helmets-may-be-deterring-cyclists|title=Helmets 'may be deterring cyclists'|date=23 October 2008|work=Stuff|access-date=29 September 2011}}

After much discussion about introducing a tramway system to Palmerston North, including an ambitious tram subway under the central railway station, a £60,000 loan was taken out in 1912 for a tramway scheme. Support, however, was wavering and there were disagreements within the council over the mode of the trams, one of the proposals was from battery trams similar to the ones that ran in Gisborne. Eventually, the decision to install tramways in Palmerston North was rescinded by a referendum and in 1920 the die was cast for a motorbus system to begin in Palmerston North. The first buses arrived in Palmerston North by late 1921.{{cite book| last = Stewart| first = Graham | title = The End of the Penny Section, A History of Urban Transport in New Zealand| publisher = A.H.&A.W Reed| date = 1973}}

Urban services are coordinated by Horizons Regional Council, through Masterton-based bus company, Tranzit. All bus services operates at least every 15-20 mins during peak-time and 30 mins off-peak and at weekends. Go cards were replaced by Bee Cards on 20 July 2020.{{Cite web|date=18 July 2020|title=New bus ticket system finally rolls out in Manawatū, seven months behind schedule|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300060343/new-bus-ticket-system-finally-rolls-out-in-manawat-seven-months-behind-schedule|access-date=21 August 2020|website=Stuff |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Karauria |first1=Merania |title=Horizons passengers ride the buses with Bee Card from next week |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/manawatu-guardian/news/horizons-passengers-ride-the-buses-with-bee-card-from-next-week/HVIMNFVDKLI4XITQQ2IB5HJHYI/ |access-date=8 August 2021 |publisher=Manawatu Guardian |date=15 July 2020}} The city's urban bus services are unique in New Zealand in that rides are offered free to tertiary students. Palmerston North is the first city to operate all electric bus fleet in the country since February 2024.{{cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Maxine |title=Palmerston North's first electric bus takes a spin |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/300237949/palmerston-norths-first-electric-bus-takes-a-spin |access-date=8 August 2021 |publisher=Stuff |date=21 February 2021}}{{Cite web |date=3 April 2023 |title=Palmerston North to have the first fully electric bus network in the country |url= https://www.horizons.govt.nz/news/palmerston-north-to-have-the-first-fully-electric}}

The city has 11 interconnected bus routes serving the city's suburbs via city centre with one outer services (route 114) to Ashhurst.{{cite web |title=Bus Timetables and Fares |url= https://www.horizons.govt.nz/buses-transport/bus-routes-transport |website=Horizons |publisher=Horizons Regional Council |access-date=8 August 2021}} Most of the lines (Except 121, 122, 123 routes) operates via the Main Street Bus Hub (MSBH), which is adjacent to the city's central Square. Bus services to Massey University and IPU exist for students. Tertiary students are offered free bus rides. This is funded by parking fees at the universities.

Bus services connect the city to several of the region's other town such as Whanganui. Bus service to Whanganui run less often than the urban services.

Daily services run to the nearby towns of Linton, Feilding (311 bus via Palmerston North Airport), Foxton, Levin and Marton.{{Cite web|url=http://www.horizons.govt.nz/buses-transport/bus-routes-transport|title=Bus Timetables|website=Horizons}}

Inter-regional routes are operated by Intercity and Tranzit. Intercity's routes run south (to Wellington), north (towards Auckland, via Whanganui, Rotorua and Taupō, or Napier) and east (to Masterton) from the bus terminal in The Square, Palmerston North.

File:Palmerston North Airport Terminal building from apron.JPG

Palmerston North Airport is located in the suburb of Milson, approximately {{convert|5.5|km}} north of the central business district. It is a regional gateway to the central North Island region.{{cite web|url=http://www.pnairport.co.nz/aeronautical/airport-information|title=Airport Info|date=2015|publisher=Palmerston North Airport|access-date=3 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150928161902/http://www.pnairport.co.nz/aeronautical/airport-information|archive-date=28 September 2015}} The airport has regular services to domestic destinations including Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton and Nelson operated by Air New Zealand and Originair.{{cite web |date=2015 |title=Route Map |url=http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/schedules/headermap.aspx?countrycode=NZ&language=EN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114164509/http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/schedules/headermap.aspx?countrycode=NZ&language=EN |archive-date=14 November 2015 |access-date=3 October 2015 |publisher=Air New Zealand}}{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/69661139/new-airline-originair-set-to-go |title=New airline Originair set to go |work=Stuff |date=25 June 2015 |access-date=29 August 2015}} International services operated out of Palmerston North between 1996 and 2008, with Freedom Air connecting Palmerston North with Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Nadi.

The airport can be accessed by bus. 2 bus routes: 101 (Airport-Massey University) and 311 (Palmerston North-Feilding via Airport) connects the airport and city centre within 20 mins.

The airport is presently the operational base of the Massey University School of Aviation.{{cite web|url= https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/learning/colleges/college-business/school-of-aviation/about.cfm|title= About the school of Education|date=2015|publisher=Massey University|access-date= 3 October 2015}}

The airport is also a freight hub for Parcelair.{{cite web|url=http://www.fieldair.co.nz/about|title= About us|date=2015|publisher=Fieldair- Aircraft Engineering|access-date= 3 October 2015}}

The runway at Palmerston North Airport, 07/25, is orientated true east–west, which requires aircraft on a long approach to runway 25 to cross the Tararua Range. On 9 June 1995, four people were killed when Ansett New Zealand Flight 703 crashed into the range while on approach to runway 25, after the Dash 8's right landing gear jammed and the pilots failed to monitor the flight path while carrying out the alternate gear extension procedure.{{cite web |date=4 July 1997 |title=Report 95-011, De Havilland DHC-8 ZK-NEY, controlled flight into terrain, near Palmerston North, 9 June 1995 |url=https://www.taic.org.nz/sites/default/files/inquiry/documents/95-011.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129212311/https://www.taic.org.nz/sites/default/files/inquiry/documents/95-011.pdf |archive-date=29 January 2018 |publisher=Transport Accident Investigation Commission |id=Report 95-011}}

File:Palmerston North Train Station 8 August 2014.JPG

Palmerston North is on the North Island Main Trunk Railway. There are two passenger trains run by KiwiRail: the weekday-only Capital Connection commuter train once a day to and from Wellington, and the Northern Explorer to and from Auckland and Wellington.

Until 1964, the railway ran through the city centre, with Palmerston North railway station in The Square. The station was moved, and the track diverted {{convert|2.5|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} to the north by the Milson Deviation in 1959–1963; work on the deviation had started in 1926.

Near the current railway station, the North Island Main Trunk railway is joined by the Palmerston North - Gisborne Line, which runs through the Manawatū Gorge to Woodville and Hawke's Bay. A connection to the Wairarapa Line is at Woodville.

Palmerston North is considered "the student city" of New Zealand's North Island. It is an important base for tertiary institutions. The home campuses of Massey University, Universal College of Learning (UCOL) and Institute of the Pacific United (IPU){{cite web|url=http://www.ipc.ac.nz |title=IPC Tertiary Institute – Home |publisher=Ipc.ac.nz |access-date=19 June 2015}} are here. A large proportion of Palmerston North's population consists of students attending these institutions or the various Papaioea Campuses of Te Wananga o Aotearoa during the student year.

;Tertiary Education Institutions

;Primary and Secondary Schools

{{Main|List of schools in Manawatū-Whanganui#Palmerston North City}}

Palmerston North has five state secondary schools: Palmerston North Boys' High School and Queen Elizabeth College in the north, Freyberg High School in the north-east, Palmerston North Girls High School in the south, and Awatapu College in the south-west. The city also has one state-integrated Catholic secondary school, St Peter's College.

Palmerston North also has one special character secondary school: Cornerstone Christian School, Palmerston North

The major daily newspaper in Palmerston North is the Manawatu Standard,{{Cite web |title=Newtext Newspapers |publisher=The Knowledge Basket |url=http://www.knowledge-basket.co.nz/databases/newztext/search-newztext/newtext-newspapers/ |access-date=12 March 2017}} while the weekly community newspaper is the Guardian.

Most radio stations are based outside the city, however some on the nationwide networks have studios in Palmerston North. Local radio stations include More FM (formerly "2XS") featuring the popular "Mike West in the Morning" breakfast show from 6am-10am.{{cite web|url=http://www.morefm.co.nz/Shows.aspx |title=More FM Shows |publisher=Morefm.co.nz |date=14 September 2014 |access-date=19 June 2015}} Sister station The Breeze also has a local breakfast show from 6am-10am hosted by Burnzee.{{cite web|url=http://www.thebreeze.co.nz/Shows/Manawatu/Breakfast.aspx |title=Breakfast – Manawatu – Shows |publisher=Thebreeze.co.nz |date=14 September 2014 |access-date=19 June 2015}} Radio Control is the local alternative student radio station, featuring local personality Abi Symes on "The Continental Breakfast" from 7 am to 9 am. Access Manawatu 999AM is a local community station and Kia Ora FM is the local Iwi station.

The city's main television and FM radio transmitter is located atop Wharite Peak, {{convert|20|km|abbr=on}} northeast of the city centre. The first transmitter at the site was commissioned in 1963 to relay Wellington's WNTV1 channel (now part of TVNZ 1). The current main transmitter was built in 1966.{{cite news |title= Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |publisher=New Zealand Parliament |volume=351 |page=1394 |date= 28 June 1967 }}

Palmerston North has four sister cities:{{cite web |title=Sister cities |url= http://www.pncc.govt.nz/news-events-and-culture/about/sistercities/ |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200120060652/https://pncc.govt.nz/council-city/about-council/international-relations/ |archive-date=20 January 2020 |access-date=23 November 2014 |publisher=Palmerston North City Council}}

• Missoula, Montana, United States
• Guiyang, People's Republic of China
• Kunshan, People's Republic of China
• Mihara, Hiroshima, Japan

{{Main|List of people from Palmerston North}}

• Constance Abraham (1864–1942), community leader and sportswoman
• John Clarke (1948–2017), satirist, author and actor
• Matthew Conger (born 1978), FIFA international football referee
• Shane Cortese (born 1968), actor and singer
• Rodger Fox (1953–2024), trombonist and established jazz courses in Wellington
• Brendon Hartley (born 1989), racing driver and FIA World Endurance Championship champion
• Spankie Jackzon (born 1984), winner of season 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under and season 2 of House of Drag
• Alan Loveday (1928–2016), violinist
• Joseph Nathan (1835–1912), founder of Glaxo (since merged to become the multinational GlaxoSmithKline)
• Evelyn Rawlins (1889–1977), music teacher
• Grant Robertson (born 1971), former Labour MP for Wellington Central and list MP. 42nd Minister of Finance and 19th Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand
• David Seymour (born 1983), 1st Minister for Regulation. ACT MP for Epsom and leader of the ACT party
• Ross Taylor (born 1984), Central Districts and New Zealand Black Caps cricket player and captain
• Simon van Velthooven (born 1988), track racing cyclist and America's Cup sailor

• An NAC Vickers Viscount (ZK-NAI) was named "City of Palmerston North". This aircraft was withdrawn from NAC service in 1975.{{cite web|title=Viscount c/n 248|url=http://www.vickersviscount.net/Pages_Listings/Listings_CN_Details.aspx|website=Vickers Viscount Network|access-date=1 January 2015}}
• Two Ansett New Zealand de Havilland Canada Dash 8s was also named "City of Palmerston North". The first was ZK-NEY, which crashed while approaching Palmerston North on 9 June 1995 as Ansett New Zealand Flight 703. The second was ZK-NES, which stayed in service until the airline's demise.{{cite web|title=Kiwi Aircraft Images|url=http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/dash8.html|publisher=Kiwiaircraftimages.com|access-date=1 January 2015}}

• List of Art Deco architecture

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Wikivoyage|Palmerston_North}}

Official websites

• [http://www.manawatunz.co.nz/ Official website of Palmerston North City & Manawatu]
• [http://www.pncc.govt.nz/YourCouncil/ Palmerston North City Council] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507195235/http://www.pncc.govt.nz/YourCouncil/ |date=7 May 2008 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080506213725/http://geoguide.palmerstonnorth.com/ Street Maps and Property Information]
• {{cite web|url= https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d21.html |title= Palmerston North |publisher= NZETC (1897 article in Cyclopedia of New Zealand) |date= 1897 }}

{{Adjacent communities

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| Centre = Palmerston North

| N = Manawatū

| E = Tararua

| S = Horowhenua

| W = Manawatū

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{{Palmerston North City}}

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Category:1871 establishments in New Zealand

Category:Populated places established in 1871

Category:Main urban areas in New Zealand

Category:Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston