List of notable people from Palmerston North

The following is a list of famous people who were born or lived in Palmerston North, and people who spent significant periods of their lives living in the central Manawatu area.

Journalists, photojournalists, writers, cartoonists, poets, authors, playwrights, screen writers, film directors, film producers, critics, etc

 * Olaf Wiig
 * Tom Scott (cartoonist)
 * Alison Quigan
 * David Henshaw
 * Murray Ball
 * Guthrie Wilson
 * Peter Hawes

Politicians, public servants, public officeholders, etc
See also
 * George Snelson (first Mayor)
 * Heather Tanguay (past Mayor)
 * Lynne Pillay (politician)
 * Simon Power (politician)
 * Caroline Robinson (Town Crier)
 * Trevor de Cleene (politician)
 * Jill White (politician and former Mayor)
 * Steve Maharey (politician)
 * John Hornblow, Local Government politician
 * Lynne Pope, Local Government politician

Artists, painters, sculptors, photographers, architects,etc
Jack Cantlon
 * Paul Dibble

Actors, dancers, comedians, performers, models, broadcasters, commercial spokespersons, television presenters/hosts, etc

 * Allison Quigan (actress)
 * Shane Cortese (actor)
 * Jon Bridges (entertainer)
 * Clarke Gayford (C4 presenter)

Miscellaneous celebrities, beauty pageant winners, cheesecake models, etc

 * Rachel Cheer (Miss Manawatu - 1995)
 * Mara Tait-Jamieson (Miss Manawatu - 2003)
 * Rachel Crofts (Miss Manawatu - 2006)

Singers, musicians, composers, songwriters, conductors, etc

 * PNC (rapper)
 * Allen Gregg (bass player, The Mutton Birds)
 * Nigel Keay (composer)
 * Benny Tipene (3rd Place X-Factor NZ 2013 - Musician)
 * Lorde (Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor) - song writer, musician

Athletes, coaches, etc

 * Gary Knight (rugby player)
 * Doug Rollerson (rugby player)
 * Bruce Hemara (rugby player)
 * Dion Waller (rugby player)
 * Jacob Oram (cricket player)
 * Craig Spearman (cricket player)
 * Christian Cullen (All Black rugby player)
 * Jason Eaton (All Black)
 * Melody Rowe (hockey)
 * Moira Senior (hockey)
 * Kayla Sharland (hockey)
 * Emily Naylor (hockey)
 * Catherine Vautier (netball)
 * Anthony Cuff (cycling)

Businesspeople, entrepreneurs, etc.

 * Peter Gillespie (founder, Ezibuy)