PALMERSTON NORTH (Maori: Te Papa-i-oea) is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand

Ngati Rangitane were the local Maori iwi (tangata whenua) living in the area known as Te Ahu-a-Turanga, when a trader, Jack DUFF, became the first known European to explore the area in 1830. He came on a whaling ship, and explored as far inland as the site of Woodville. He reported his discovery on arrival back to Porirua. Colonel WAKEFIED 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 forest and he proceeded through the dense bush and forest and discovered it for Europeans.

The Government surveyed the area in 1866-67. The original subdivision of Palmerston North was made in 1866, in the natural clearing in the Papaioea Forest, as found by Hartley. A township was laid out by J.T. STEWART, an employee of the Wellington Provincial Government.

Stewart's plan consisted of a series of wide and straight streets, laid out in a rectangular pattern, with the focal point being an open space of 17 acres (7 ha) subsequently known as The Square. Landmarks named after Stewart included Stewart Crescent in Palmerston North and Mt Stewart, near Sanson.

The four original streets meeting at the Square are now called Fitzherbert Avenue (from the south), Main Street East, Main Street West and Rangitikei Street. As the settlement grew, the forest diminished to make way for farms, and today virtually no remnant of it survives.

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. The population was approximately 800 people and sawmilling was the main industry of the district. The arrival of the railway in 1886 saw an increase in the speed of growth, and by 1900 the population was 6,000. By this time the town was at the centre of a lucrative agricultural district

The city was first named "Palmerston", in honour of Viscount PALMERSTON, a former Prime Minister of Great Britain. The suffix "North? was added in 1871 by the Post Office to distinguish the settlement from Palmerston in the South Island, though locals still widely refer to the city simply as Palmerston or "Palmy". Locals are known as Palmerstonians.



This is a list of notable people who were born in Palmerston North or who spent a significant part of their lives living in the region
- each name (at this link) is a link to a bio and some have photos

Journalists, photojournalists, writers, cartoonists, poets, authors, playwrights, screen writers, film directors, film producers, critics, etc.

Judy Bailey, former newsreader, deemed "Mother of the Nation"

Murray Ball, cartoonist

Tom Scott, cartoonist

Olaf Wiig, photojournalist

Politicians, public servants, public officeholders

Ashraf Choudhary, Labour MP

Trevor de Cleene (politician)

Jacqui Dean, National MP

Iain Lees-Galloway Labour MP

Steve Maharey (politician)

Jono Naylor (current Mayor)

Lynne Pillay (politician)

Simon Power (politician)

George Snelson (first Mayor)

Metiria Turei, Green MP

Jill White (politician and former Mayor)

Scott Ludlam (Australian Greens WA Federal Senator)

Actors, dancers, comedians, performers, models, broadcasters, commercial spokespersons, television presenters/hosts

John Clarke, famous as "Fred Dagg"

Shane Cortese (actor)

Clarke Gayford (C4 presenter)

Hamish McKay (TV3 (New Zealand) Sports Presenter)

Miscellaneous celebrities, beauty pageant winners

Rachel Cheer (Miss Manawatu - 1995)

Mara Tait-Jamieson (Miss Manawatu - 2003)

Rachael Tucker (Miss Manawatu 2004 & Miss Earth NZ 2004)

Tiffany Pickford (Miss Manawatu - 2005 & Miss Earth New Zealand - 2005)

Rachel Crofts (Miss Manawatu - 2006 & Miss Earth NZ - 2008)

Claire Kirby (Miss Manawatu - 2007 & Miss Earth NZ - 2007)

Amelia Jenkinson (Miss Manawatu - 2009 1st runner up & Miss Earth NZ 1st runner up - 2009)

Katy Birchall (Miss Quilty - 2010)

Krystal-leigh Shortland(Miss Manawatu's Miss Friendship & Miss Potential 2010)

Singers, musicians, composers, songwriters, conductors

Billy TK, guitarist

Alann Gregg (bass player, The Mutton Birds)

Nigel Keay (composer)

Anna Leese, operatic soprano

PNC (rapper)

Grayson Gilmour (musician So So Modern)

Athletes, coaches

Craig Clare (rugby player)

Christian Cullen (All Black rugby player)

Mark Donaldson (All Black rugby player)

Jason Eaton (All Black)

Kris Gemmell, International triathlete

Jake Gleeson, Footballer playing for Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer

David Kirk, All Black and former CEO of Fairfax Australia

Michael Mason, New Zealand Black Cap and Central Districts bowler

Charles John Monro, founder of rugby union in New Zealand, lived for a time in an area now part of Palmerston North

Emily Naylor (Hockey)

Steven Old, New Zealand All White (soccer)

Jacob Oram (cricket player)

Craig Perks, International golfer

Moira Senior (Hockey)

Kayla Sharland (Hockey)

Levi Sherwood (freestyle motocross)

Craig Spearman (cricket player)

Ross Taylor, New Zealand Black Caps captain and Central Districts batsman (cricket)

Dion Waller (rugby player)

Tim Wilkinson, professional golfer

Sam Whitelock- All Blacks (current)

Adam Whitelock-Crusaders

George Whitelock-Crusaders

Aaron Cruden- All Blacks

Grant Webb

Jamie How

Bevan Griggs

George Worker

Activists, philanthropists, do-gooders, public agitators, advocates, lawyers

Fred Hollows, ophthalmologist

Others

Madge Allsop (fictional). Played by Emily Perry, she starred as Dame
Edna Everidge's (played by Barry Humphries) sidekick for 14 episodes of the Dame Edna Experience (1987-1989). In reference to Madge's drab appearance and demeanor, Humphries would often deride her by simply telling the audience "she's from Palmerston North."