Scandinavian Club of Manawatu Inc

Scandinavian Club of Manawatu Inc The Manawatu Scandy Club was formed in 1979, and became the district's third such club. Members are A History of Scandinavian Clubs in Manawatu Inc.

The formation of the Scandinavian club of Manawatu traces back to the decision to place a plaque on a monument in Mauriceville West in March 1973. A key figure in the ceremony was Ted Mattson of Palmerston North. Around this time also, Wellington man, Malcolm (Mac) Larsen began taking an interest in his family origins. He visited Norway in 1973 and 1975 (and led a tour there in 1980), as wel

l as helping genealogists trace their Scandinavian heritage. He founded the Wellington based New Zealand-Norway Society in 1978,

Mac Larsen's interest in things-Scandinavian did not, however, stop there. On 22 June 1979 at a meeting in Palmerston North, the Scandinavian Club of Manawatu was born. Inspired by this success, Larsen went on to form Scandinavian Clubs in Hawkes Bay (1980), Wairarapa (1981), Dannevirke (1982) and Taranaki (1983). It was to these areas, that the New Zealand Government had sent its early Scandinavian immigrants, and the vast majority of club members are descendants of those people, rather than expatriates. Scandinavian Clubs were formed in other parts of the country as well. A number of single country clubs also exist around the country. Like most new clubs, the Scandinavian Club of Manawatu's earliest years were very active, In addition to holding functions in Palmerston North, the club hosted what became the first Scandinavian Gathering, held at Norsewood, on the weekend of 5-6 March 1983. Over the years the Club has hosted a number of such gatherings, however, the last of these took place in 2011, with the Scandinavian Gatherings (also called Festivals) ceasing around that time. Fortunately other groups have formed, and most recently the Viking Festival/s have been taking place at Norsewood - although we get to enjoy them without having to organise them. In 2021, we mark 150 years since the original Scandinavian immgrants arrived in Palmerston North in 1871. In 2022 the Tararua and Wairarapa Districts celebrate their first Scandinavian immigrants with special events. At present, 'Skandia Quarterly', the Club's Newsletter, keeps members up to date with the happenings of the Club not only those residing in New Zealand, but also around the world.

Here's a newspaper report on the activities in Norsewood last week :-)
26/05/2026

Here's a newspaper report on the activities in Norsewood last week :-)

17/05/2026

More scenes from Norway Day in Norsewood, NZ today :-)

17/05/2026

The celebrations in Norsewood, NZ today :-)

Morse from Norsewood :-)
22/04/2026

Morse from Norsewood :-)

Norwegian Constitution Day activities....
22/04/2026

Norwegian Constitution Day activities....

We are looking for some stalls with cakes and lollies for Norway 🇳🇴 17th of May. 10 to 2pm. No charge. Please contact me by email [email protected]

Just in case we forget (again), here is the Norsewood programme :-)
04/04/2026

Just in case we forget (again), here is the Norsewood programme :-)

Program for Norwegian constitution day. Sunday 17th of May.

Here's an interesting article on the rediscovery of a Danish ship destroyed in battle in 1801:
03/04/2026

Here's an interesting article on the rediscovery of a Danish ship destroyed in battle in 1801:

A warship that sunk after it was attacked by Adm. Horatio Nelson and the British fleet 225 years ago has been found off the coast of Denmark in what’s been called a “remarkable” discovery.

Here's a familiar house that many of us have known well from when Bodil and Gunner Petersen owned it. The article's writ...
21/03/2026

Here's a familiar house that many of us have known well from when Bodil and Gunner Petersen owned it. The article's writer confused his/her Ditlev Monrads, but as we know, the Bishop was long dead in Denmark when this house was built in what is now called Pioneer Highway, PN, by his son:

Built for a former PM of Denmark, Kaingahou is a heritage-listed treasure set in beautiful grounds.

The Viking Festival's programme
06/02/2026

The Viking Festival's programme

Viking Festival time (that some of us managed to forget - oops!)
06/02/2026

Viking Festival time (that some of us managed to forget - oops!)

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Palmerston North
4414

Telephone

0272803817

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