Manawatū–Whanganui

Manawatū-Whanganui
Manawatū-Whanganui within New Zealand
Coordinates: 39°36′S 175°36′E / 39.6°S 175.6°E / -39.6; 175.6
CountryNew Zealand
IslandNorth Island
Established1989
SeatPalmerston North
Territorial authorities
Government
 • BodyHorizons Regional Council
 • ChairNikki Riley
 • Deputy ChairFiona Gordon
Area
 • Land22,220.64 km2 (8,579.44 sq mi)
Highest elevation
2,797 m (9,177 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (June 2025)
 • Region
260,700
 • Density11.73/km2 (30.39/sq mi)
GDP
 • TotalNZ$14.328 billion (2021) (7th)
 • Per capitaNZ$55,665 (2021)
Time zoneUTC+12:00 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13:00 (NZDT)
ISO 3166 codeNZ-MWT
HDI (2023)0.914
very high · 13th
Websitewww.horizons.govt.nz

Manawatū-Whanganui ([manawaˈtʉː ˈˀwaŋanʉi]; spelled Manawatu-Wanganui prior to 2019) is a region in the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand, whose main population centres are the cities of Palmerston North and Whanganui. It is administered by the Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council, which operates under the name Horizons Regional Council. The region covers over 22,000 square kilometres (13,670.166 mi), making it the sixth largest region by area in the country and is home to 261,100 residents.