Palmerston North Central

Palmerston North Central is the suburb co-terminus with the Central Business District of Palmerston North, a city in the North Island of New Zealand.

Population

Palmerston North Central is the Central Business District and the surrounding area. Palmerston North Central had a resident population of 2,865 (2001) .

The Suburb

The boundaries of Palmerston North Central are defined as Victoria Avenue and Alan Street in the E; Ferguson Street in the S; Featherston St in the N; Cook Street in the W.

The Square

The main focus of Palmerston North Central is the 17 ha land known as the Square. There are notable buildings and streets which surround this land, such as the old Post Office building (now a restaurant-cum-nightspot) and the Square Building on the corner of Main Street East and the Square (which served as the old library to the city).

Also there are many places where one can eat (e.g. McDonald's and Subway) and other shops. There are other shopping centres such as Downtown and The Plaza.

Other Attractions

Palmerston North Library, Regent on Broadway and Arena Manawatu can be found here also. Te Manawa (formerly Manawatu Science Museum and Art Gallery) is a popular attraction. The Rugby Museum on Cuba Street (adjacent to Arena Manawatu) is another popular attraction. Centrepoint Theatre is also based here. Most of the City's nightlife can be found here also.

Skyline

The skyline is dotted with a few high-rise buildings. Usually the first to catch one's eye is the oddly-shaped Spark telecommunications building on Main Street East, regarded as an eyesore for citizens of the city. Other notably tall buildings are FMG House (Palmerston North's tallest) and the former State Insurance building.

The All Saints Anglican Church dominates the SW sector of the Square, characterised by its red brick construction. Also the Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit on Broadway Avenue dominates the skyline if one looks eastward.

Palmerston North City Council has its buildings on the corner of the Square and Main Street West, characterised by the large Civic Building. Palmerston North Police have moved from their old building on Church Street to a new complex across the road.

The Plaza has been redeveloped and has a section on the other side of Ashley Street.

Schools

• Universal College of Learning (UCOL) (Palmerston North) - the main campus is located on the corner of King and Princess Streets and is characterised by the red brick facade and recently developed atrium. The brick building was formerly Palmerston North Technical High School (now Queen Elizabeth College, Rangitikei Street) and Palmerston North Teachers' College (now in Hokowhitu Lagoon).
• Te Kura Kaupapa o Mana Tamariki, adjacent to Aorangi Hospital (Papaioea)

Main streets

• The Square
• Rangitikei Street (SH3)
• Church Street
• Fitzherbert Avenue
• Broadway Avenue
• Main Street East becomes SH3 at Princess St intersection.
• Main Street West
• Cuba Street
• Featherston Street
• Grey Street (SH3), Princess Street(SH3), Ferguson Street, Bourke Street, Pitt Street, Walding Street - The Inner-city Ring Road

Local government representation

A boundary change in the wards happened prior to the Local Elections in 2007. Palmerston North Central is now represented by three of the four urban wards.

• Awapuni Ward has now been extended to include parts of the old Takaro Ward (from the Square, north to Featherston Street). Facing North, the left side of Rangitikei Street. Papaioea Ward is on the right.
• Grey Street forms the boundary between Papaioea and Hokowhitu
• Fitzherbert Avenue forms the boundary between Awapuni and Hokowhitu.

Central government representation

• Palmerston North is represented by NZ Labour MP, Iain Lees-Galloway. His office is in the suburb.