Traditional English Dance - Morris Dancing

Every solstice, outside the pubs of Palmerston North, strangely clad people can be seen leaping into the air, waving handkerchiefs and sticks, with bells jingling from their shins. This traditional ritual to welcome the return of the sun and spring is called Morris dancing, and it goes back at least to the 15th century in England. 

The origins of Morris dancing have been lost in history, but prevalent opinion is that Morris is based pre-Christian fertility or luck-bringing ceremonies. Over time, these 'pagan' dances were assimilated by the church (first the Catholic, then the Protestant) and by the 1500s, Morris was being performed for Easter, May Day and other local festivals.

Morris is still danced all year round to ensure a good crop, to provide entertainment, or to commemorate important events. Today, Morris is still performed in England and New Zealand on days such as Plough Monday, Easter, and the start of spring. Some of the dances have not changed in over a hundred years and because of this long history, Morris dancing is considered a living tradition.

We would love you to try Morris dancing. We practise at Palmerston North Fire Station on Thursday evenings.

Alternatively, if you would like us to dance at an event that you are organising please contact our Squire, Rob Freeman, or Lis Todd.


Rosewood Morris Dancers

Palmerston North Central

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The Manawatū Scottish Society (Inc) was established in 1925. Its mission statement is to foster Celtic Heritage through the promotion of Celtic literature, customs and accomplishments, and social interaction within New Zealand. This is achieved through promoting three Pipe Bands and Scottish Country Dancing based in the Society’s Hall, which is available for hire to approved hirers. In addition, the Society hosts the Jenny Mair Highland Square Day, now in its 44th year, and the Claidheamh’mor and Targe Solo Invitational Piping Contest, now in its 39th year.

Manawatū Scottish Society (Inc)

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Established in the Manawatū in 2000. While U3A stands for "University of the Third Age", we are not a university in the modern sense: no qualifications, no exams. We are a community of older people who seek a greater understanding of life. Taps the reservoir of knowledge, skills and experience of older people through self-help learning. Provides opportunities for reading, research, discussions and field trips. The atmosphere for learning is informal and friendly. There are no compulsory activities or examinations. Costs are minimal.

We meet in small learning groups (usually less than 15 people). We currently have over 40 interest groups. Each group has a coordinator who organises and oversees the group. Groups meet in members’ homes, in libraries, art galleries, other spaces. Several groups have also been meeting online (eg Zoom, email). You may join as many groups as you like (there are waiting lists for some groups). Sometimes we go on visits, for example to art galleries, museums.

In addition to the groups we usually run two seminar series each year with themes of general interest.

U3A Manawatū Incorporated

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The Palmerston North Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists was established in 1972. We promote the study of family history and genealogy. We meet monthly and all are welcome at our meetings. At our meetings we often have talks by experienced genealogists and our many research resources are available (databases and library). We have a monthly newsletter with news, events and articles. 

Palmerston North Branch NZSG

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‘Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.’ Plato 

Join us for our live performances each month in the Evelyn Rawlins Room at Square Edge. Enjoy the sounds of many eras and styles performed by local pianists, instrumentalists, singers, soloists and ensembles. All are welcome. 

In addition, Musica Viva offers a Young Performers’ Scholarship competition for local musicians under 30 years. Prizes are offered in Piano, Instrumental and Vocal categories. Participants perform an item in our April–September concerts, with the competition taking place in October. Applications to participate in the YPS programme closed on March 15 2024.

Musica Viva Manawatū

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Amélie of Palmy is a community project for lovers and yet-to-be lovers of the French hit film Amélie (2001). A series of creative events connecting aspects of the film to Palmerston North, including acknowledging Amélie's birthday on 1 June. Bienvenue! 

Amélie of Palmy

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The Manawatū County Club, based in Palmerston North, was established in November 1928. It welcomes women of all ages, professions, ethnicity and educational backgrounds to participate in a diverse program of informative, stimulating and social activities, both at the Club Rooms and at selected offsite venues.

Within the Club are many interest Groups. These include Gardening, Antiques and Collectibles, Music, Arts and Travel, Bridge, Bolivia, Mah Jong and Oral History. They each develop their own annual program of activities. All members are encouraged to belong to those groups which interest them. There is also a program of key annual events and two luncheons, with interesting speakers, are held at the Club each month. 

The Club offers a warm and welcoming environment in comfortable surroundings for individual members and groups to meet, find friendship and support, share interests and participate in a range of social activities.  


Manawatū County Club Inc

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Alliance Française Palmerston North is a well-known French language and cultural centre located on the first floor of the Square Edge Creative Centre. It is one of the oldest cultural organisations, established in Palmerston North under the name of ‘Cercle Français’ in 1949. 

Alliance Française is a NZ registered charity which actively promotes interest in French language and culture. Our mission is to encourage the study of French language; to raise awareness of French and French-speaking cultures in all their dimensions; to foster cultural, intellectual, artistic and friendly exchanges between  French-speaking world and local communities; and to promote cultural diversity by highlighting all cultures.

Alliance Française offers and supports continued learning both in and out of the classroom by offering French courses for all ages and levels, cultural events, a French community library and official language diplomas.

Alliance Française supports refugees and migrants from different backgrounds and cultures, in particular French-speaking, by providing literacy and numeracy classes, as well as English classes. We facilitate social interaction and mutual exchanges with the local community.

Alliance Française also supports teachers in schools by offering competitions, workshops, professional development, and exams.

Alliance Française Palmerston North

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For Dutch and Dutch descent people, their families, friends, and Dutch culture appreciators. We are a small but fun and friendly community of all ages. We meet irregularly (usually connected to an event). A lot of our activities are at Te Awahou Nieuwestroom in Foxton. Keep an eye out for Dutch Week, which happens in April, around Koningsdag (Kings Birthday) - now bigger and more orange than ever!

Dutch Club Manawatū

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Palmerston North Brass Band is the oldest organisation in Palmerston North, technically pre-dating Palmerston North City itself! Established in 1868, we have been providing entertainment to Palmerston North residents for over 150 years.

We play a wide range of music, from classical, traditional brass band pieces, right through to arrangements of pop songs. We get involved in community events as frequently as possible, and you may have seen us at Relay for Life, Anzac Day services, Explore Esplanade Days, in the Christmas Parade, or just popping up for a spontaneous performance around town!

In addition to our brass band, we also facilitate lessons for anyone who wants to learn a brass instrument and run an 'academy band' for learners to try playing in a band setting without the pressure of being in a full band.

Palmerston North Brass Band

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Makkika Dum is an Egyptian Drumming group in Palmerston North. We perform and teach Egyptian and middle eastern drumming styles. We play modern, folk, and classic Egyptian rhythms with passion and love. Singing folk songs and incorporate oriental instruments in our public performances.


Mazzika-Dum Egyptian Drumming 

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Square Edge Community Arts supports a vibrant community of artists and creative folk, arts and community organisations. 

We run a monthly exhibition programme, offer community workshops, hold markets and events, and host forums and performances. Our tenants and users include artists, a picture framer, photographers, a signage designer, sound healer, plastic free grocer, café, yoga, art, voice, drama, and language teachers, a garment centre, and much more. We offer studio spaces for artists, and bookable rooms for a diverse range of user groups. There are many opportunities to join in with a wide range of activities here.

Square Edge Community Arts 

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To present choral music of excellence to the citizens of the Manawatu. Founded in 1919, the Palmerston North Choral Society is an assessed choir in Palmerston North. They perform a range of classic choral singing to more modern works and perform at various venues and events around the city.

The choir performs a range of choral music from traditional oratorios through to modern works. Generally, two concerts each year are its main focus but this year it is aiming for four shorter concerts. The singers also enjoy participating in NZ Choral Federation Sing Fests, the Molly Atkinson Ladies' Choral Festival, the city Christmas in the Park concert and other community events as they arise. The PN Choral Society celebrated their 100th year in 2019.


Palmerston North Choral Society

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We were established in 2018, we encourage adults and children to learn about the Brazilian culture and language. 

Palmeirinhos - Brazilian Community Group

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We are a passionate group of individuals who dedicate their spare time to preserving and celebrating the sport of armoured medieval combat. Unlike reenactment groups, we specialise in full-contact, fighting, with the goals of competing with other groups, both regionally and internationally.

Manawatū Armoured Combat

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The Manawatū Art Collection is one of the most valuable and representative collections of contemporary New Zealand art in any region in the country. 

Our members are art lovers. We arrange events and activities for the enjoyment of our members and we share information about art in our community. We continue to acquire suitable works of regional significance to enlarge our collection. 

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Our collection been built up since the 1959 by the Palmerston North Art Gallery Society, renamed as the Manawatū Art Gallery Society and more recently known as Te Manawa Art Society. The collection is housed in the art gallery storerooms at Te Manawa Museum, alongside an art collection owned by the Te Manawa Museum Trust. As custodians of our collection, Te Manawa Museum provides a variety of opportunities for the community to view and appreciate the works in our collection. 

Manawatū Art Collection

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Palmerston North Film Society is a non-profit, volunteer-run charity dedicated to showing rare films that are not usually commercially available. For over 70 years we have presented a wide range of local and international documentary and classic film masterpieces.
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN: As well as offering access to the broadest cross-section of films available anywhere, a Palmerston North Film Society membership remains one of the cheapest entertainment deals in town!

Palmerston North Film Society

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We are a group of Argentine Tango dancers, of all  levels of experience, who meet every second Sunday for a couple of hours, to practice and develop our beautiful dance of walking in embrace.   Come along with your special partner or by yourself, learn to connect with the group and dance in close embrace Argentine tango.

Tango del Corazon - tango from the heart

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HOLA NZ is open to everyone interested in Latin America and Hispanic cultures. The organisation promotes the cultural diversity of Latin America and fosters the Spanish and Portuguese languages. HOLA NZ organises regular cultural and social events to promote networks and friendships among Latin Americans, Hispanics, New Zealanders, and the multicultural community of Palmerston North

HOLA-NZ

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Pamanlahi is a non-profit cultural club that aims to share the cultural and historical knowledge of the Philippines to the various city-wide community. Established in 2013, the group has been performing for the numerous organisations in Palmerston North

Pamanlahi Cultural Ensemble 

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National Council of Women Manawatu is the mid-central face of National Council of Women New Zealand. We unite to promote improvements to the quality of life of women, families and the community. We have existed for 80 years, and during that time, our actions have helped shape the social and economic fabric of what the Manawatu is today. Our focus at present is on realising the vision of a gender-equal New Zealand. 

National Council of Women Manawatu

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