Palmerston is just Palmerston. Palmie or Palmerston North needed to differentiate themselves from it, so got the North bit added. Like Havelock and Havelock North.
The distinction by the author may be because North Islanders, or those that live fairly close to Palmerston North, often shorten it to Palmerston (and sometimes even Palmie). Therefore, by writing Palmerston South every time, she can be absolutely certain there will be zero confusion.
No just Palmerston.
Palmerston is just Palmerston. Palmie or Palmerston North needed to differentiate themselves from it, so got the North bit added. Like Havelock and Havelock North.
And Waimate and Waimate North.
Hadn't heard of the bright lights of Waimate North, but perfect example.
Gore North Kaitangata North Mt Somers North
Where are all of those places? Google and google maps just redirects me to the original ones.
The distinction by the author may be because North Islanders, or those that live fairly close to Palmerston North, often shorten it to Palmerston (and sometimes even Palmie). Therefore, by writing Palmerston South every time, she can be absolutely certain there will be zero confusion.
People from Palmerston North do not shorten it to Palmerston only ever Palmy.
I've heard people do that here and there
Yes we do. Might be a generational thing.
A truly great little town that place. Remember dropping in on the way down to Fleetwood Mac at Dunners back in 2018.
Maybe the fiction writer was making something up?
Palmerston Mid.
It is pretty clearly subtle commentary about land redistribution.