PALMERSTON Palmerston is a major rural community and is the first major centre some 60 kilometers north of Dunedin. Palmerston has a namesake in the North Island and is known as Palmerston North. Otago's town has the earlier claim to the name, however - it’s surveying dates from 1862, whereas the northern city did not receive its name until 1871. Both towns take their names from Lord Palmerston, the 19th-century British Prime Minister. Palmerston South is a historic centre that has all of the major services that services a wealthy rural community. Clearly Palmerston is a proud town. Between it and the sea stands the lone hill of Puketapu (known by Southerners as Holy Hill), crowned with a monument to the 19th century Otago politician Sir John McKenzie. The churches in Palmerston are over 100 years old. The Palmerston War memorial is located on the northern edge of town. The Palmerston Hotel is located in the town centre and has a good profile. Palmerston does not have a museum but does have the John McKenzie Monument. A nice town that deserves a meaningful stop-over.