Manawatū-Whanganui

regional council, New Zealand

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Manawatū-Whanganui, regional council, southern North Island, New Zealand. It includes a major portion of one of the largest plains of the North Island and encompasses the Whanganui River valley. The area rises northward to the Kaimanawa Mountains and stretches along the Tasman Sea to include the Rangitīkei River (noted for its steep-walled gorge) and the Manawatū River. The upper Whanganui River valley, which was an early centre of Māori settlement, is a national park of great scenic beauty. The region also extends the width of North Island to include the southern part of the inland Ruahine Range of mountains and a portion of the island’s Pacific coast, south of Cape Turnagain.

Dairying is carried out on the western coastal plains, and the region’s northeastern downlands are used for grazing sheep. Palmerston North, first settled in 1866, overlooks the Manawatū River. The port city of Whanganui lies northwest of Palmerston North. Area 8,574 square miles (22,206 square km). Pop. (2013) 222,672; (2018) 238,797.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Jeff Wallenfeldt.