Living in the Manawatu-Whanganui Region

Whanganui City & River - photo courtesy of Wanganui District Council

Geography

The region is dominated and defined by two significant river catchments, the Whanganui and the Manawatu.

The Whanganui River, in the northwest, is the longest navigable river in New Zealand and the Manawatu River runs across the centre of 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 Turnagain to Owhanga and includes a series of mountain ranges, notably the Tararua and the Ruahine Ranges and three major active volcanoes.

Climate

The region has a comparatively mild climate with greater climatic extremes inland.  In summer the region is warm, with a maximum mid-summer daily average of between 20.1 and 22.9 °C.  In the winter the minimum mid-winter daily average for coastal areas is 4.0 to 7.9 °C, while inland areas are considerably colder.

Population

The region had a usually resident population, the fifth-largest population in New Zealand with Palmerston North having a population of 82,400 (June 2014 estimate).  The other major urban area is Whanganui, with an estimated resident population of 39,200 (June 2014 estimates). City life does not dominate, as half the population live outside a large urban area, over a third in small towns or rural areas.

Palmerston North The Square - photo courtesy of Palmerston North City Council

For more information on the Manawatu-Whanganui Region we have provided a number of links - please explore our stunning region:

Whanganui's Official Web Site - Visit it here

The Manawatu's Official Web Site - Visit it here

The Manawatu  - Click here for more information on The Manawatu

Whanganui - Click here for more information on Whanganui