2011-2012 Annual Report - Full Version - PDF - Palmerston North ...

Overview What's Happening in the City?Palmerston North - Key FactsPalmerston North has the amenities expected of amodern, major city but with the ease and comfortof a smaller town. Our climate is temperatewithout the extremes of many other New Zealandcities with daytime temperatures averaging 22°Cin summer and 12°C in winter.PopulationPalmerston North has an estimated populationof 82,100 (NZ Statistics estimate June 2011).Compared to the demographics of the rest of NewZealand, Palmerston North has a young population.This is reflective of the City’s strength in educationand defence and an increasing birth rate. The Cityhas experienced rapid change in the ethnicityof its population with significant increases in itsMāori, Pacific and Asian populations.Area and LocationPalmerston North covers an area of 32,594 hectares(June 2011) and being very centrally located is a keydistribution centre in New Zealand. One millionpeople live within a two hour (200km) radius. TheCity is a major rail centre with the main trunk line.State Highway 1 passes through the region, andthere are excellent roading connections north,south, east and west.In addition to domestic destinations, thePalmerston North International Airport has hadconnections to Australia. All of this means thatthe City and the region have major advantages asvisitor destinations and for national distributionindustries. The urban area of the City is a servicebase for a large rural area, some of which is withinthe City boundary.EconomyPalmerston North has experienced strongeconomic growth over the last decade with thenumber of jobs and incomes increasing at fasterrates than those nationally. The health sectoris the City’s largest economic sector followedby education and public administration whichincludes defence. Logistics is also one of the fastestgrowing sectors. The growth in the retail sectorreflects the city as a regional shopping centre.EducationThe City boasts a wide range of educationalfacilities, including a leading university,polytechnic, wananga, multicultural languageschool and a number of other specialised tertiaryeducation institutes. With its great reputation, theCity is able to attract both staff and students fromthroughout the world. Four out of every 10 peoplein the City either work at or attend an educationalinstitution.Recreation, Culture andLeisure ActivitiesA wide range of quality recreational, cultural andleisure facilities are available in the City, includinglibraries, theatres, Te Manawa, The Esplanade,Arena Manawatu, swimming pools, walkways andcycleways and an all-weather athletics track.There is currently about 58 km of walkways inPalmerston North. There is also about 8 hectaresof parks and open spaces per 1,000 residents. Inaddition, there is a lively music scene, and many livetheatre events are performed in Palmerston North.EventsThe City has numerous events. Some of theseare funded by the Council, e.g. Christmas Parade,Summer Concerts, Festival of Cultures. Many otherevents happen during the year, e.g. Speedway,Kapa Haka Festival, Wedding Expo.The City’s official tourism organisation “DestinationManawatu” provides an up-to-date array ofattractions, things to do, events, and details ofaccommodation and conferencing facilities.18Palmerston North City Council Annual Report 2011/12