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The Manawatu is an area of the lower (southern) North Island of New Zealand. It is centred on the city of Palmerston North and a broad flat river plain, much of which has been formed by the mighty Manawatu river, one of the few rivers in the world to bisect a mountain range.
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By bus
Intercity Coachlines operates NZ's national bus network with daily departures. Tickets can be purchased online or throughout the country at numerous agents including the i-site network.
By car
State Highways 1 and 3 run through the Manawatu.
By rail
Occasional rail connections may be possible at Feilding and Levin.
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Palmerston North · Regional · PMR
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home to Massey University
Feilding is a town on the Manawatu plain in New Zealand. Feilding is well placed geographically, just two hours' drive from most of the southern half of the North Island including Wellington (NZ’s capital) providing a gateway to the South Island.
Levin is a town of 19,000 people (2022) in the Manawatu region of New Zealand's North Island. Levin is the largest town in the Horowhenua District.
Shannon is a town of 1,600 people (2021) in the Manawatu region of the lower North Island of New Zealand. It is on SH 57 between Levin and Palmerston North.
popular camping ground on the Rangitikei River, which for 30 years has hosted an annual gay and lesbian New Year's Eve party
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