Archives Central a first for local government Archives from five councils within the Horizons Region will be accessible in one central location following the opening of the new Archives Central building by Hon David Carter, Minister of Local Government.

The opening marks a first in local government archiving, combining over 130 years of history from Manawatu, Horowhenua, Tararua, Rangitikei and Horizons Regional councils at the old Coach House Museum in Bowen Street, Feilding.

Archives from these councils as well as Wanganui, Palmerston North and Ruapehu are also being listed online at www.archivescentral.org.nz as part of the collaborative project led by Manawatu-Wanganui Local Authority Shared Services Ltd (MW LASS). "We live in a region with a rich and vibrant history," says MW LASS chairman Michael McCartney.

"Through collaboration we’ve been able to achieve more than we could as individual councils and bring this history to life not only for council staff but for historians, genealogists, teachers and weekend researchers alike.

"Archives Central fulfils council requirements under the Public Records Act and will ensure our records are preserved for the future while remaining available to use today," he says. The Archives Central building will be officially opened during a ceremony on Thursday 4 October before opening to the public for the first time between 1pm and 5pm Friday 5 October.

Anyone who wants to find out more about the archives is welcome to come along on the 5th when archivists will be giving public tours of the building and temperature-controlled storage area. Tours will run on the hour from 1pm and go for around 15 minutes.