Manawatu-Wanganui is the sixth largest region of New Zealand by land area with the sixth largest population. This region includes the main urban centres of Palmerston North, Levin and Wanganui City.
Manawatu-Wanganui has the eleventh highest rainfall and the thirteenth highest number of sunshine hours out of fifteen regions. However, the climate can differ significantly in different areas of the region.
Manawatu-Wanganui's average weekly income for people in paid employment is the fifth highest in New Zealand.
