Key facts
Conveniently located in the New Zealand heartland, half way between Rotorua and Wellington. The Wanganui-Manawatu region has a population of 222,423.
The region is dominated and defined by two significant river catchments, the Wanganui and the Manawatu. The Wanganui River is the longest navigable river in New Zealand.
About the region
The region stretches from north of Taumarunui to south of Levin on the west coast, and across to the east coast from Cape Tumagain to Owhanga. It borders the Waikato, Taranaki, Hawkes’ Bay and Wellington regions. The Pacific Ocean marks the eastern border and the Ruahine Ranges form a natural boundary between the region and Hawke's Bay.
Palmerston North, known to most as ‘Palmy’, is the main regional city with a population of 79,000. Other key towns and settlements include Wanganui, with a population of 39,300, Fielding, a thriving rural town voted most beautiful in New Zealand 13 times, Levin, Foxton, Dannevirke, Sanson, Apiti and Himitangi Beach.
Palmerston North is an attractive rural city with a central business district centred around a beautiful leafy square. Palmerston North is home to Massey University, one of the country’s main universities. The city is also home to the Universal College of Learning (UCOL) another popular tertiary institution.
The city was first named Palmerston in honour of Viscount Palmerston, a former British Prime Minister. However, the suffix North was added in 1871 by the Postal Service in order to distinguish the settlement from Palmerston in the south Island.
The region can also boast the three major active volcanoes of the North Island. This triumvirate towers above the Volcanic Plateau. Mt Ruapehu at 2,797 metres, is the tallest mountain in the North Island, Ngauruhoe reaches 2,291 m and Tongariro 1,968 m. During the last 100 years, Mt Ruapehu has experienced six significant eruptions and has erupted as recently as 1995, 1996 and 2007.
While manufacturing has become an important part of the region's economy, most businesses are agriculturally based. The region is a major agricultural power, leading in beef, sheep and deer production.
Points of interest
- ♦ New Zealand Rugby Museum – check out the history of the beloved game
- ♦ Jetboating – thrills in the Manawatu Gorge
- ♦ Fielding Farmers Market – pick up some local produce
- ♦ Skiing – on Mt Ruapehu
- ♦ Te Manawa – a unique museum, art gallery and science centre
- ♦ White water rafting – on the Rangitikei River
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