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Palmerston North is a city in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the eleventh largest city in the country, and the centre of the eighth largest urban area. The city was originally named "Palmerston" in honour of Viscount Palmerston, ... more »
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Airports Palmerston North is a city in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the eleventh largest city in the country, and the centre of the eighth largest urban area.
The city was originally named "Palmerston" in honour of Viscount Palmerston, a former Prime Minister of Great Britain. The suffix "North” was added in 1871 to distinguish the settlement from Palmerston in the South Island. Locals frequently refer to the city simply as "Palmy".
The city has used many descriptions in advertising and promotion: 'Rose City' (referring to its rose trial grounds), 'Knowledge City' (referring to the city's many academic institutions), and 'Student City' (for the same reason). The current slogan, "Young Heart, Easy Living", indicates a laid-back provincial life style. This was created to attract families away from the busier main centers, to a more relaxed approach to living.
The city is situated about 140 km north of the capital, Wellington, in the centre of the Manawatu Plains, and close to the northern bank of the Manawatu River. It is 35 km from the river's mouth and 12 km from the end of the Manawatu Gorge.
The city is a significant road and rail junction. State Highways 56 and 57 meet State Highway 3 close to the city, with these highways providing the main streets of the city. However, State Highway 1, the North Island's main highway, passes about 25km to the west of Palmerston North.
Palmerston North International Airport is placing itself as a major secondary international airport in New Zealand. International and domestic services (the former operated by Freedom Air) operate to a number of international destinations, primarily to Australia.
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At Palmerston North the North Island Main Trunk railway is joined by the Palmerston North-Gisborne Line, which runs through the Manawatu Gorge to Woodville and Hawke's Bay, with a connection to the Wairarapa Line at Woodville. The railway was originally routed through the central Square of the town, but was diverted to the north in 1964 - 1966. Rail services to Palmerston North include the daily Capital Connection to Wellington, and the Overlander to Auckland or Wellington.
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The original subdivision of Palmerston North was made in 1866, in a natural clearing in the Papaioea Forest. As the settlement grew, the forest diminished to make way for farms, and today virtually no remnant of it survives.
The first settlers were largely Scandinavian, and by 1877 the town had a population of around 1,200. 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.
In 1930 the population reached the 20,000 threshold and Palmerston North was officially proclaimed a city. Development was slow at this period in the city’s history, however, due to the great depression and World War II. An airport was established at Milson in 1936. After the war growth was rapid, with the population rising to over 50,000 by the mid 1970s.
*Palmerston North's average mean daily maximum temperatures range from 12°C in winter to 22°C in summer. Average annual rainfall is 960 mm. There is a lot of wind, especially in spring. It has the largest electricity-generating wind farm in the southern hemisphere, with 158 turbines on the nearby Tararua and Ruahine Ranges providing power for approximately 30,000 homes.Lonely Planet Maps (external source)
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Distances are calculated as the crow flies, and are provided as an aid in planning only.
* This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the Source wikipedia.
