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The region is dominated and defined by two significant river catchments, Whanganui and Manawatu . The Whanganui River is the longest navigable river in New Zealand. The river was extremely important to early Maori as it was the southern link in a chain of waterways that spanned almost two-thirds of the North Island. It was one of the chief areas of Maori settlement with its easily fortified cliffs and ample food supplies. Legends emphasise the importance of the river and it remains sacred to Wanganui iwi. Maori along the coast and lowland plains grew kumara and other crops.
Much of the Manawatu-Wanganui Region was fertile and bush-covered when Europeans arrived and developed the area as a source of timber. Saw milling and flax milling dominated the 19th century, followed by an influx of sheep farmers who exploited the newly-cleared ground. Deforestation, burn-offs of timber and scrub and large scale drainage combined with overgrazing, resulted in considerable environmental degradation. In the early 1900s authorities realised that careful management was needed to maintain this important agricultural area.
While the open Manawatu Plains became more densely settled by Europeans, inland Ruapehu, Rangitikei and WanganuiWanganui Urban Area Population 40,000 Extent Westmere to Marybank TerritorialAuthority Name Wanganui District Population 43,900 Extent Nukumaru to Whangaehu River; north to Kakatahi RegionalCouncil Name Manawatu-Wanganui Wanganui is a city on the west coa remained more Maori-dominated, remote and independent. As late as the 1950sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s Years: 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 Events and trends Technology United States tests the first fusion bomb. the Whanganui river remained a river of mystery. More recently, however, exploitation of the river's commercial potential has opened up the area, often causing friction with local Maori who have longstanding grievances. The region has remained one of the most important pastoral areas in New Zealand, its status recognised when the government opened the Massey Agricultural CollegeMassey University is based in Palmerston North, New Zealand with additional campuses in Te Aro, Wellington (inherited by absorbing ther former Wellington Polytechnic) and in Albany, Auckland. The University offers most of its degrees extramurally nationwi in the 1920sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s Years: 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 Events and trends Technology John Logie Baird invents the first working t.
There are two major urban areas in the region. Palmerston NorthPalmerston North Urban Area Population 77,600 Extent north to Kairanga Bunnythorpe Rd & Ashhurst; south to military camp, SH 57 TerritorialAuthority Name Palmerston North City Population 77,100 Extent north to Cloverlea, airport & Ashhurst; south to Linto, with a usually-resident population of 72,033 ( 2001 censusThe New Zealand government Deartment Statistics New Zealand conducts a census of population and dwellings every five years. The census officially occurs at midnight on a Tuesday in March. These, statistically are the month and weekday on which New Zealand), expanded as an educational centre as well as a supply centre for the surrounding rural hinterland. It became a city in 19301930 is the common year starting on Wednesday. see link for calendar) Events January-February January 6 The first diesel-engine automobile trip is completed ( Indianapolis, Indiana, to New York City). January 27 Miguel Primo de Rivera resigns January 30 G. The other major urban area is Wanganui with a usually resident population of 39,423 as at 5 March 2001. Other urban centres include LevinLevin is a town in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the largest town in the Horowhenua district. Levin is situated on State Highway 1, 59km north of Wellington and 50km south of Palmerston North. According to the 2001 Census of Population and Dwelli, Feilding , Dannevirke, Taumarunui, Foxton, and Marton .
However, city life does not dominate the region as half of the region's population live outside a large urban area. Over a third of the population live in small towns or rural areas. While manufacturing has become an important part of the region's economy, most businesses are agriculturally based and agriculture remains the regional linchpin. The dominance of agriculture, combined with the relatively small scale of most urban areas, gives a rural quality to the region, quite distinct from neighbouring Wellington. The region's rugged interior has also become one of the main training areas for New Zealand's defence forces, which maintain three bases in the region.