Manawatu

Snapshot

Manawatu

• Situated in the lower half of the North Island, only two hours from New Zealand’s Capital City and the ski fields of Tongariro National Park, the Manawatu area encompasses the city of Palmerston North, the towns of Feilding and Ashhurst and many rural villages.
• Known for its gardens, Palmerston North is well located as a major distribution and transport hub. The city is also a major education centre for New Zealand, with Massey University on the city boundary.

Rangitikei

• The Rangitikei River runs the length of the district and is noted for its trophy trout fishing (brown and rainbow) in the headwaters and gentle float fishing for the recreational angler in the lower reaches.
• The main centre of Taihape is a popular travellers’ stop on a journey through the North Island and is located in a scenic rural location.
• At the southern end of the Rangitikei district is the country town of Bulls, situated on the side of the Rangitikei River. The area is known for its scenery and rural landscapes, and the many private gardens and farm homesteads offering visitor experiences.

Horowhenua

• The Horowhenua area is a slice of typical new Zealand rural lifestyle, just one hour's drive north of Wellington on State Highway 1. The area is known as a 'market garden' and supplies a wide variety of fruit, vegetables and flowers principally to Wellington and the lower North Island.
• The Tararua boundaries extend from the Tararua and Ruahine Ranges through to the East Coast beaches of Cape Turnagain, Herbertville, Akitio and Owahanga.

Key Centres

• Palmerston North, major education city and business distribution hub for the lower North Island
• Taihape, main centre in the Rangitikei area
• Levin and Foxton, main towns in the Horowhenua area
• Dannevirke, Norsewood and Eketahuna, rich in Scandanavian history

Climate

Mean daily temperatures - degrees Centigrade/Fahrenheit

Palmerston North: