Regions of New Zealand – Manawatu/Whanganui

Tongariro crossing

This month's region is Manawatu/Whanganui. 

Location – this region is in the bottom half of the North Island just above Wellington

Origin of name – I have diced with controversy by including an 'h' in the spelling of Whanganui – but the evidence suggests that this is the correct spelling from a Maori perspective. The region's name is derived from the two major river catchments.

Main Cities – Palmerston North (only about 100k people) and Whanganui (half of PN).

Places to visit – The three major active volcanoes of the North island are all in the region – Mount Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro.  Ruapehu last erupted in 1995/6.  The Tongariro crossing is a popular walk. There is lots of conservation land in the region.

Taihape – gumboot capital of the world. 

Famous people from Manawatu/Whanganui –  Janet Frame, Pat Hanly, Judy Bailey, Paul Dibble (sculptor), Douglas Lilburn (composer), Peter Gordon (chef), AK Grant