Local History Week probes the little-known
Inoticed a thought-provoking sign on entering Waiouru recently. It reads: History without the boring bits. Palmerston North has certainly experienced its share of criticism regarding “boringness’’. Mt Cleese at the Awapuni landfill memorialises John Cleese’s now infamous 2005 comments about the city.
Last year, the early exit of the Spanish women’s football team from Palmerston North was reportedly due to boredom.
However, for the Palmerston North City Library, co-ordinators of Local History Week since 2008, the topic of Palmerston North and its surrounds is totally engrossing and needs to be shared.
This flagship programme has become an annual highlight. Previously held in November, it moved to March in 2023 to become part of Heritage Month.
With Waitangi Day and the Festival of Cultures leading into the month, and Anzac commemorations following, it is an ideal time to celebrate the diverse and often littleknown history of our rohe.
In 2024, Local History Week (March 1-10) is inspired by the whakatuakī (proverb), Whatungarongaro te tangata toitū te whenua. This speaks to the permanence of whenua, and the deep connections we develop with the land.
When the heritage team put a call out to local history organisations and enthusiasts, they responded with their usual generosity in providing whenua and earth-based activities. These span through time, from an examination of 50,000-year-old strata in the exposed cliff at Pit Park, to people, places and events within living memory.
Exploration of your local history is familyfriendly, many activities are scheduled on weekends and outside of classroom hours.
With Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories curriculum an intrinsic part of school and home life, it’s an invaluable and fun opportunity for whānau, ākonga and kaiako.
Local History Week begins with when uathemed exhibitions and displays at Central Library and Te Manawa Art Gallery. Chat with hosts and plan the week and month ahead.
A pōwhiri at Te Rangimarie Marae marks the official opening, with an opportunity to learn about the whenua of Ngāti Te Rangitepaia.
After a light lunch, stay for two fascinating presentations by THEN – Histories of Pāmutana.
The first explores cultural expressions of Rangitāne on whenua in infrastructure projects, and the second is about Palmerstonians who never returned from World War I.
The following day, experience Te Āpiti – Manawatū Gorge, travelling in the comfort of an art deco railcar. The Pahīatua Railcar Society is running five return trips from Ashhurst to Woodville, complete with guided commentary. At only $33 per seat, numbers are limited, so register promptly.
Another highlight is the Mina McKenzie Memorial Lecture, where author Lucy Mackintosh will discuss her new book, Shifting Grounds: Deep Histories of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
There are a range of talks and activities from mana whenua, including the integral involvement of Rangitāne in the new
Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway from Terry Hapi (Rangitāne o Manawatū) and Grant Kauri (Ngāti Raukawa, Rangitāne o Manawatū, Rangitāne ki Tamaki nui ā rua).
Jonathan Proctor, from Massey University, will discuss Rangitāne’s long relationship with the taiao (environment), and from Ruma Karaitiana (Rangitāne ki Manawatū) learn about the 1864 Te Ahu a Turanga land block sale that encouraged the settlement of Palmerston North.
There will be a self-led tour of cultural expression on the ground by Toi Warbrick, and people can learn how to explore their whakapapa with Peter Te Rangi (Rangitāne ki Manawatū); as well as relax on a guided visit of Karaka Grove with Craig Kawana (Rangitāne ki Manawatū).
Palmerston North’s agricultural past also features. Tour the earliest parts of the university campus, when it was Massey Agricultural College, with Massey archives staff, or attend a talk by Alice Beban and Janet Reid sharing diverse stories of our connections with food and farming.
Later in March, there is a presentation by Lieutenant Colonel Peter Wood about Sir Geoffrey Peren, the first principal of Massey Agricultural College.
In 2024, Flock House commemorates its 100th anniversary. Learn from Russell Poole about the orphans of British seaman killed in World War I who came to Aotearoa between 1926 and 1931 as farm cadets. They were accommodated at Flock House and Shalimar.
This is followed by a second presentation by Alasdair Bettles-Hall at Bulls (bus provided) and a visit to Bulls Museum where a small collection of memorabilia is held.
Included in local history offerings: Hoffman Kiln trustees tell us how disasters and a demand for bricks led to the establishment of the kiln; former city archivist Lesley Courtney will explain how to research the history of your property; and emeritus professor of history Margaret Tennant will discuss interactions with land via the lens of Manawatū Journal of History articles.
Rodney Wong will lead a discussion on Chinese market gardening history in the Manawatū; Leanne Croon Hickman and Geraldine Reynolds will guide a tour to “meet’’ some of the residents of Terrace End Cemetery; the library has organised trips to historic houses and farms; while Massey academics Geoff Watson and Mike Roche will lead a tour through Victoria Esplanade.
For inspiration in art and creativity, there are floor talks as you tour Te Manawa art exhibitions with curatorial and collections senior manager Sian van Dyk.
At Central Library, Jacob Brookie will share, through MAVtech Museum collections, how photography has changed the way we see the landscape.
Local History Week ends with a panel discussion from Manawatū Standard’s Back Issues writers. Chaired by Giselle Byrnes, Massey University, they’ll share insights on researching and writing about land-focused topics.
This is followed by an award from Palmerston North Heritage Trust for the best book on the history of Manawatū, published between July 2021 and December 2023. Join mayor Grant Smith and Rangitāne for the poroporoaki and reflection of the week.
The closing of Local History Week does not signify the end of historic goodies in March. They continue throughout Heritage Month with all sorts of activities, such as Tania Koptyko’s talk on the Pahīatua Camp and World War II Displaced Persons, or Adrian Broad’s presentation on the Manawatū Standard, historically, and during technology changes in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Attend behind-the-scenes tours, open days and workshops. Most importantly, have a go.
In the entirety of Heritage Month, there are more than 80 activities, presented and hosted by 50 organisations and individuals.
To find out more and to plan your month, you can visit the library’s What’s On programmes at citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz.
Most activities are free to attend. Due to space limits, many require advance registration. You can register online at bit.ly/ HeritageMonthRegistrations or contact the heritage team.
Tracey Armstrong is the heritage team leader at Palmerston North City Library.