Palmerston North and around travel guide

Airline offices

Air NZ, 366 Church St, T06-351 8800.

Car hire

Rent A dent Car Centre, 61 Milson Line, T06-355 5227. Ward Hire, 445 Tremaine Av, T06-355 3043.

Taxi

Taxis Gold and Black, T06-355 5059.

Internet

Alpha Internet Café, 108 Princess St. Library, 4 The Square.

Medical services

City Health, 22 Victoria Av, T06-355 3300. Palmerston North Hospital, Southern Cross, 21 Carroll St, T06-356 9169.

Police

400 Church St, T06-313 600.

Post office

338 Church St, Mon-Fri 0800-1800, Sat 0900-1300.

Useful addresses

AA, 185 Broadway Av, T06-357 7039.

Background

The Maori name for the river, Manawatu, is ‘still breath’ and relates to a lullaby of the coastal tribes from the west coast of the lower North Island. It tells the story of the journey of a cuckolded husband, Hau, to retrieve his wayward wife. Poor Hau named many rivers during his quest to win back his spouse. Sadly, when he eventually found her, she was in the arms of another lover in Wellington – probably a stockbroker. When love-sick Hau came to the Manawatu River, it was so cold it made his breath stand still hence the name, ‘still breath’. The local Rangitane Iwi lived in the area for hundreds of years before the Europeans began to settle in the mid 1800s. With the rich surrounding agricultural lands, it did not take Palmerston long to develop and prosper. By 1930 the population was about a third of what it is today.

Getting around

Be warned: ‘Palmy’ is a nightmare for getting lost because it is so flat. Stray too far from the central square and visible tall buildings without a street map and you will be lost in a world of fast food and chain retail outlets. Most of the town’s sights are within walking distance. Horizon Tranzit, T06-355 4955, is the local bus service; standard fare $2. The VIC (I-Site) has timetables. Madge Buses (Uzabus), T06-356 4896, http://www.madge.co.nz, runs a local service to Feilding and Levin from outside Farmers on King Street.