Manawatu-Whanganui
The Manawatu/Whanganui region is located in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand and has a population of around 225,000. The region is shaped by two significant rivers; the Whanganui and the Manawatu, and has some of the most productive soils in the country. The climate is reasonably mild with greater climatic extremes inland with the areas at higher altitudes experiencing freezing temperatures in the winter.
The region has a strong economy which consists of Agriculture, Farming, Forestry and Tourism.
The region consists of seven Territorial Authorities; Ruapehu District, Whanganui District, Manawatu District, Rangitikei District, Palmerston North City, Horowhenua District and the Tararua District.