64-651: Horizons Regional Council or Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council ( Māori : Te Kaunihera ā rohe o Manawatū-Whanganui ) is the regional council of the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's lower North Island. The council has 14 elected members, including a chair. The council was established in 1989. Under the Local Government Act 2002 , it is required to promote sustainable development – the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of their communities. As of 2023, it
128-874: A borough with more than 20,000 people could be proclaimed a city . The boundaries of councils tended to follow the edge of the built-up area, so little distinction was made between the urban area and the local government area. New Zealand's local government structural arrangements were significantly reformed by the Local Government Commission in 1989 when approximately 700 councils and special purpose bodies were amalgamated to create 87 new local authorities. Regional councils were reduced in number from 20 to 13, territorial authorities (city/district councils) from 200 to 75, and special purpose bodies from over 400 to 7. The new district and city councils were generally much larger and most covered substantial areas of both urban and rural land. Many places that once had
192-407: A city council were now being administered by a district council. As a result, the term "city" began to take on two meanings. City also came to be used in a less formal sense to describe major urban areas independent of local body boundaries. This informal usage is jealously guarded. Gisborne, for example, adamantly described itself as the first city in the world to see the new millennium. Gisborne
256-595: A city council. The governing body of the regional council consists of 12 councillors from 6 constituencies across the region, elected by the public; from the north: Ruapehu (1 councillor), Whanganui (2), Manawatū-Rangitikei (2), Palmerston North (4), Horowhenua (2), Tararua District (1). It sits in Palmerston North. It has the responsibility for managing natural and physical resources, providing flood protection and monitoring environmental problems and fresh air, clean water, productive land and natural eco-systems. It
320-539: A major producer of energy or minerals. Some new power schemes are operating, including the southern hemisphere's largest collection of wind farms , with 194 installed turbines and more planned. The New Zealand Defence Force maintains three bases in the Manawatū-Whanganui region: Waiouru Military Camp in the Ruapehu district, RNZAF Base Ohakea near Bulls, and Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North. For
384-529: A number of islands where the Minister of Local Government is the territorial authority, two of which have a 'permanent population and/or permanent buildings and structures.' The main islands are listed below (population according to 2001 census in parentheses): In addition, seven of the nine groups of the New Zealand outlying islands are outside of any territorial authority: Territorial authorities have
448-458: A population of 1,000 or more include: Other towns and settlements include: In the 2023 census, people could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 78.1% European ( Pākehā ); 25.1% Māori ; 5.0% Pasifika ; 7.7% Asian ; 1.0% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
512-824: A population of 251,412 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 12,615 people (5.3%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 28,740 people (12.9%) since the 2013 census . There were 123,594 males, 126,804 females and 1,011 people of other genders in 96,291 dwellings. 3.2% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age was 39.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 48,645 people (19.3%) aged under 15 years, 46,077 (18.3%) aged 15 to 29, 107,565 (42.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 49,122 (19.5%) aged 65 or older. Religious affiliations were 31.4% Christian , 1.2% Hindu , 0.8% Islam , 2.1% Māori religious beliefs , 0.6% Buddhist , 0.6% New Age , 0.1% Jewish , and 1.3% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 54.3%, and 8.0% of people did not answer
576-554: A region and a territorial authority. It incorporated the recommendations of the Royal Commission and was established via legislation. Auckland Council is uniquely divided into "local boards" representing the lowest tier of local government. Under the terms of the Local Government Act 2002 , district councils have to represent the interests of their future communities and consider the views of people affected by their decisions. To fulfill that requirement and give young people
640-588: A say in the decision-making process, many councils have a youth council. In late December 2023, the Ashburton District Council scrapped their youth council, stating they could engage better with younger people online and describing the current youth council as "a youth club where they ate pizza." In early January 2024, the Gore District Council opted to restructure its youth council and ruled out dismantling it. In April 2024,
704-462: A week. Its plan, which went to a Select Committee, accepted the proposal for supercity and many community boards, but rejected proposals for local councils and, initially, no separate seats for Māori . Public reaction to the Royal Commission report was mixed, especially in regards to the Government's amended proposal. Auckland Mayor John Banks supported the amended merger plans. Criticism of
SECTION 10
#1732797620608768-531: Is 4.0 to 7.9 °C (39.2 to 46.2 °F), while inland areas are considerably colder. Waiouru has a minimum mid-winter daily average of 0.1 °C (32.2 °F). Rainfall on the plains is slightly below average, with Palmerston North receiving 960 mm (38 in), while the rest of the region receives the New Zealand average rainfall of 1,000 to 2,000 mm (39 to 79 in). The region contains areas of great ecological significance, reflected in
832-567: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Manawat%C5%AB-Whanganui Manawatū-Whanganui ( [manawaˈtʉː ˈʔwaŋanʉi] ; spelled Manawatu-Wanganui prior to 2019) is a region in the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand, whose main population centres are the cities of Palmerston North and Whanganui . It is administered by the Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council, which operates under
896-459: Is a part owner of CentrePort Wellington with a 23% shareholding, with the remaining shares held by Greater Wellington Regional Council . The 14 regional councillors were elected in the 2022 local elections from six general constituencies, Ruapehu , Whanganui , Manawatū - Rangitīkei , Palmerston North , Tararua and Horowhenua , and two Māori constituencies , Raki Māori and Tonga Māori. This government of New Zealand–related article
960-421: Is administered by a district council, but its status as a city is not generally disputed. Under current law, an urban area has to be at least 50,000 residents before it can be officially proclaimed as a city. Since the 1989 reorganisations, there have been few major reorganisations or status changes in local government. Incomplete list: Reports on completed reorganisation proposals since 1999 are available on
1024-423: Is also a permanent home to 13 species of birds, six species of fish and four plants species, all of which are threatened. It regularly supports about one percent of the world population of wrybills. Manawatū-Whanganui Region covers 22,220.64 km (8,579.44 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 263,300 as of June 2024, with a population density of 12 people per km . Manawatū-Whanganui Region had
1088-579: Is also responsible for public transport. The region is dominated and defined by two significant river catchments, the Whanganui and the Manawatu . The Whanganui River, in the northwest, is the longest navigable river in New Zealand. The river was extremely important to early Māori as it was the southern link in a chain of waterways that spanned almost two-thirds of the North Island. It was one of
1152-559: Is located on these plains, and is an important service city for the southern North Island as a whole. This river is unusual, in that it passes from hill country to plains through a gorge cut into much higher country, an indication that the hills have risen since the river formed. To the southeast, a further, more sparsely populated area of the Tararua District lies between the sources of the Manawatū River near Norsewood and
1216-420: Is of note as having one of the most diverse ranges of wetlands birds to be seen at any one place in New Zealand. A total of 95 species have been identified at the estuary. It is a significant area of salt marsh and mudflat and a valuable feeding ground for many birds including the migratory Eastern bar-tailed Godwit, which flies all the way from Siberia to New Zealand to escape the harsh northern winter. The estuary
1280-412: Is similar to a unitary authority. Territorial authority districts are not subdivisions of regions, and some of them fall within more than one region. Regional council areas are based on water catchment areas, whereas territorial authorities are based on community of interest and road access. Regional councils are responsible for the administration of many environmental and public transport matters, while
1344-577: Is still heavily forested. As late as the 1950s the Whanganui River remained a river of mystery. Since then exploitation of the river's commercial potential has opened up the area, often causing friction with local Māori, who have long-standing grievances. Manawatū-Whanganui as a whole is one of the most important pastoral areas in New Zealand, its status recognised when the government opened the Massey Agricultural College in
SECTION 20
#17327976206081408-487: The Chatham Islands Council . District councils serve a combination of rural and urban communities, while city councils administer the larger urban areas . Five territorial authorities ( Auckland , Nelson , Gisborne , Tasman and Marlborough ) also perform the functions of a regional council and thus are unitary authorities . The Chatham Islands Council is a sui generis territorial authority that
1472-752: The New Zealand Geographic Board announced that from 18 October 2019 the name of the Manawatu-Wanganui region, and the regional council, would incorporate both the letter "h" and a macron, becoming "Manawatū-Whanganui". This became the official spelling of the name on 18 October, although the Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council would continue to use the trading name of Horizons Regional Council. See: Controversy over Wanganui/Whanganui spelling . The region covers all or part of ten territorial authority areas. Parts of five of these are covered by five other regions of New Zealand ,
1536-515: The Volcanic Plateau are higher and more rugged, often subject to harsh temperatures in winter. The Manawatū District has a much gentler topography, consisting mainly of the flat, tree-studded Manawatū Plains that run between the ranges and the sea. The land was under the sea till about 500,000 years ago and still has a very thick layer of marine sediment , which is about five or six million years old. A block faulting system underneath
1600-784: The Whanganui District Council proposed scrapping its youth council by June 2024 as part of budget saving measures. There are currently 67 territorial authorities. Before the Auckland Council "super merge" in November 2010, there were 73 territorial authorities. Before the Banks Peninsula District Council merged with the Christchurch City Council in 2006, there were 74 territorial authorities. There are
1664-440: The 1920s. Much of Manawatu-Wanganui 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
1728-694: The Hawke's Bay Region, then flows through a deep gorge to the Manawatu Plains before exiting in the Tasman Sea . The river is also unique in New Zealand (and rare worldwide) in that this gorge (the Manawatū Gorge ) is a water gap through recently uplifted rock, causing the river to flow from relatively low-lying land along an eroded course through higher terrain. The Whanganui District is more rugged, with canyon -like valleys and gorges carved out of
1792-842: The Local Government Commission's site (link below). On 26 March 2009, the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance recommended the Rodney, North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland City, Manukau, Papakura and Franklin territorial councils and the Auckland Regional Council be abolished and the entire Auckland region to be amalgamated into one "supercity". The area would consist of one city council (with statutory provision for three Māori councillors), four urban local councils, and two rural local councils: The National-led Government responded within about
1856-484: The North Island and the fourth-highest figure in the country behind Canterbury, Southland and Otago . Barley , which is used for the manufacture of stock feed and for malting, is grown. The region produces the largest quantities of barley in the North Island, providing 10% of the national refined crop of 302,804 tonnes in 1995. The region has 4,062 hectares (10,040 acres) of horticultural land, of which 3,647 hectares are used for vegetable growing. While only having 8% of
1920-453: The North Island, falling to −13.6 °C (7.5 °F) on 7 July 1937. In summer the region is warm, with a maximum mid-summer daily average of between 20.1 and 22.9 °C (68.2 and 73.2 °F). Sunshine hours approximate the national average for much of the region (1,800-2,000 hours per annum) but Palmerston North is defined as cloudy with an average of 1,725 sunshine hours. In the winter the minimum mid-winter daily average for coastal areas
1984-515: The North Island. Soils are productive with the addition of nitrogen fertiliser . In the Manawatū and Horowhenua districts there are sandy soils and swampy hollows around the coast with loess -covered terraces and river flats inland. These river flats and swamp areas contain fertile alluvial and organic soils. On the drier terraces inland yellow-grey earths predominate. The flatter more fertile soils suit intensive sheep farming and cropping while
Horizons Regional Council - Misplaced Pages Continue
2048-790: The Pacific coast. This area, often historically connected with both the Hawke's Bay Region to the north and the Wairarapa to the south, was historically simply known as Bush, a name which still survives in some businesses and organisations, most notably the Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union . The two river catchments have very different natures. While the open Manawatu Plains became more densely settled by Europeans, inland Ruapehu , Rangitikei , and Whanganui remained more Māori-dominated, remote and independent, and
2112-511: The amended proposal came largely from residents in Manukau, Waitakere and North Shore Cities. In addition, Māori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples spoke against the exclusion of the Māori seats, as recommended by the Royal Commission. Opposition Leader Phil Goff called for a referendum on the issue. Auckland Council was created on 1 November 2010—a unitary authority that is classed as both
2176-425: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 28,686 (14.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 112,935 (55.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 52,803 (26.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 36,400, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 15,501 people (7.6%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
2240-429: The chief areas of Māori settlement with its easily fortified cliffs and ample food supplies. Legends emphasise the importance of the river and it remains sacred to Whanganui iwi . Māori along the coast and lowland plains grew kumara and other crops. The Manawatū River runs across the centre of the region, from rolling hill country in the east to the fertile Manawatū Plains in the west. The main city of Palmerston North
2304-578: The college into animal genetics in the 1930s led to the development of new breeds of sheep, the Drysdale and the Perendale , which became commercially significant after World War II. Agriculture dominates land use although there are areas of forestry and horticulture . Soils and climate favour pastoral farming. There were 6,344 farm holdings on 30 June 1996, which was almost a tenth of all farm holdings in New Zealand. Farming occupied 72.5% of land, which
2368-404: The country's 45,000-hectare vegetable-growing land, the Manawatū-Whanganui region grows 26% of New Zealand's asparagus , 20% of its lettuce , 19% of its brassicas ( broccoli , cabbage and cauliflower ), and 10% of its carrots and potatoes . The region is one of the most significant forestry areas in the southern North Island. The predominant soil type, yellow-brown earths, when enhanced by
2432-452: The designation of approximately a seventh of its land area as part of the nation's conservation estate. Tongariro National Park is the largest park in the region (795.98 km [307.33 sq mi]) and is the oldest national park in the country, established in 1887. The volcanoes Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe are sacred to Māori and were given to the nation by Te Heuheu Tukino IV , paramount chief of Ngati Tuwharetoa . They form
2496-614: The district, and says that his heart ( manawa ) settled or momentarily stopped ( tatū ) when he saw the Manawatu River. Whanga nui is a phrase meaning "big bay" or "big harbour". The first name of the European settlement at Whanganui was Petre (pronounced Peter), after Lord Petre, an officer of the New Zealand Company , but the name was never popular and was officially changed to "Wanganui" in 1854. In
2560-466: The early 1900s authorities realised that careful management was needed to maintain this important agricultural area. Manawatū-Whanganui takes up a large proportion of the lower half of the North Island. It is the second-largest local government region in the North Island and the sixth-largest in New Zealand, totalling 22,215 km (8,577 sq mi) (8.1% of New Zealand's land area). The region stretches from north of Taumarunui to south of Levin on
2624-403: The economy. A higher than average proportion of businesses were engaged in the agriculture , forestry and fishing industries, 6.3% compared with 4.4% nationally. Businesses engaged in retail trade were dominant numerically. In 1997 there were 2,300 businesses, employing a total of 10,380 full-time equivalents (FTEs). The percentage of businesses engaged in manufacturing was slightly higher than
Horizons Regional Council - Misplaced Pages Continue
2688-570: The eight quarters between September 1996 and June 1998 the region averaged 4.1% of total guest nights in New Zealand. This was close behind Wellington at 6.7% and greater than Hawke's Bay, which averaged 3.1%. Occupancy rates, at 20.1%, were the fourth-lowest in the country for the June 1998 quarter. Rates for the city of Palmerston North were significantly higher than the national average (39.5% compared with 25.8%) whereas districts such as Ruapehu are far more seasonal with fairly low occupancy rates except in
2752-413: The hill country of Rangitikei favours semi-intensive sheep and beef farming. Areas close to the volcanic plateau consist largely of pumice soils which lack some essential trace elements but within the region much of this land is occupied by national parks. The region has a comparatively mild climate with greater climatic extremes inland. Chateau Tongariro experienced the lowest temperature recorded in
2816-524: The local dialect, Māori pronounce the wh in Whanganui as [ˀw] , a voiced labial–velar approximant combined with a glottal stop , but to non-locals the name sounds like "Wanganui" and is hard to reproduce. In 1991 the New Zealand Geographic Board considered demands from some local Māori to change the name of the river to Whanganui. After widespread controversy for many years, in September 2019
2880-434: The major animal pest since they damage native forests and endanger cattle production through the spread of bovine tuberculosis . Eradication programmes also concentrate on rabbits , rooks and feral goats , while other exotic species such as Parma wallaby ( Macropus parma ), wasps , ferrets , stoats and weasels are a source of concern. The internationally recognised Ramsar estuarine wetlands site at Foxton Beach
2944-422: The most of any region. In descending order of land area the territorial authority districts are Ruapehu , the major parts of Tararua District and Rangitikei , Manawatū , Whanganui , Horowhenua , and small parts of Stratford , Waitomo , and Taupō . The largest city is Palmerston North , with a population of 85,300 (June 2012 estimate). It is the only territorial authority in the region to be administered by
3008-554: The name Horizons Regional Council . The region takes its name from the two major rivers flowing through it: the Manawatū River and the Whanganui River . In the Māori language , the name Manawatū is a compound word that originates from an old Māori waiata (song). The waiata "Ka tatū e hine ko Manawatū" describes the search by an early ancestor, Haunui-a-Nanaia, for his wife, during which he named various waterways in
3072-458: The national average and manufacturing employed the greatest number of people (12,830 FTEs). The region is known for its strong agricultural base, which prompted the establishment of an agricultural college there in the 1920s. The government wanted to promote scientific farming and established colleges in two of the most important farming areas, Canterbury and the Manawatū. Research by members of
3136-467: The nucleus of the park, which is designated a World Heritage Site . Whanganui National Park is slightly smaller (742.31 km [286.61 sq mi]) and was established 99 years later when a series of reserves were incorporated into one area and given national park status. There are two state forest parks in the rugged, bush-clad Ruahine Range and Tararua Range. The four parks offer skiing , tramping , jetboating and white-water rafting and
3200-533: The opportunity to appreciate the environment. The regional council, responsible for managing natural and physical resources, provides flood protection and monitors environmental problems such as pest infestation and pollution. Invasive plant pests such as African feathergrass , goats rue and nodding thistle pose a threat to pastureland in this heavily agricultural-dependent region, and the council has instituted control campaigns. The council has also instituted animal pest control programmes. Possums are perceived as
3264-914: The peak ski season. Key cultural institutions in the region include Te Manawa in Palmerston North, the Whanganui Regional Museum , the Sarjeant Gallery and the Quartz Museum of Studio Ceramics in Whanganui, the National Army Museum in Waiouru, and the multi-cultural Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom in Foxton . State Highway 1 , the main highway, and the North Island Main Trunk railway, which both link Auckland and Wellington , run through
SECTION 50
#17327976206083328-599: The region. The Palmerston North–Gisborne Line and State Highway 3 follow the Manawatū Gorge , linking the region with Hawke's Bay. The Marton–New Plymouth Line provides a railway link with Taranaki, and from this line the short Wanganui Branch runs to Whanganui . Road and rail transport give the region's exporters easy access to ports. The region has approximately 16% of the North Island's road length. There are 8,732 km (5,426 mi) of road, of which two-thirds are sealed. Approximately 12% of roads are classified as urban and three-quarters as rural, with almost half of
3392-414: The region: the Whanganui (290 km [180 mi]), Manawatū (182 km [113 mi])), and Rangitīkei (241 km [150 mi]). The Whanganui is the second-longest river and has the second-largest catchment in the North Island, draining most of the inland region west of Lake Taupō . There are few roads in this area, which contains some of the largest surviving areas of native bush in
3456-432: The rural roads being unsealed. With 945.9 km (587.8 mi) the region has the second-highest length of state highways in the North Island, after Waikato. Territorial authorities of New Zealand Territorial authorities ( Māori: mana ā-rohe ) are the second tier of local government in New Zealand , below regional councils . There are 67 territorial authorities: 13 city councils , 53 district councils and
3520-584: The soft rock by rivers and ocean waves. The region includes a series of mountain ranges, notably the Tararua Range and the Ruahine Range and the three major active volcanoes of the North Island. Mount Ruapehu at 2,797 m is the tallest mountain in the North Island, Ngauruhoe 2,291 m and Tongariro 1,968 m. During the last 100 years Ruapehu has experienced six significant eruptions, and last erupted in 1995 and 1996. Three major rivers divide
3584-498: The soils. Forestry largely disappeared until the early twentieth century. In an attempt to combat erosion problems in sandy soils the government planted forests in the Foxton/Levin area in the early twentieth century. Inland forests were planted later. Some private native forest has been set aside for sustainable logging but most forestry depends on exotic plantings. Unlike its neighbour Taranaki , Manawatū-Whanganui has not been
3648-409: The territorial authorities administer local roading and reserves, water supply and sanitation , building consents , the land use and subdivision aspects of resource management, and other local matters. Some activities are delegated to council-controlled organisations . The scope of powers is specified by the Local Government Act 2002 . For many decades until the local government reforms of 1989 ,
3712-517: The thick sediment has raised a series of domes and gentle depressions. These structures can provide natural storage areas for oil and some of the Manawatu domes have been drilled. The domes have shaped the course of the Manawatū River, giving it a meandering path which, uniquely among New Zealand rivers, begins close to the east coast and exits on the west coast. The Manawatū River begins just inside
3776-427: The use of fertilisers, is very suitable for forestry. Forestry has a long history in the Manawatū since Palmerston North developed as a saw-milling town, and the region's initial prosperity depended on heavy exploitation of native timbers. But land use practices inhibited the long term viability of this indigenous forestry industry. Severe burn-offs destroyed large areas of native forest and subsequent overgrazing affected
3840-476: The west coast, and across to the east coast from Cape Turnagain to Owhanga. It borders the Waikato , Taranaki , Hawke's Bay and Wellington regions and includes river catchment areas that run from the volcanic plateau to the sea. The Pacific Ocean is the eastern boundary and the Ruahine Range forms a natural boundary with Hawke's Bay. The area includes a variety of landscape formations. Districts close to
3904-465: Was estimated at NZ$ 11.60 billion in the year to March 2019, 3.8% of New Zealand's national GDP. The regional GDP per capita was estimated at $ 46,764 in the same period. In the year to March 2018, primary industries contributed $ 1.26 billion (11.5%) to the regional GDP, goods-producing industries contributed $ 2.01 billion (18.3%), service industries contributed $ 6.76 billion (61.6%), and taxes and duties contributed $ 942 million (8.6%). Agriculture dominates
SECTION 60
#17327976206083968-415: Was much higher than the national average of 60.1%. Approximately 80% of this land was used for agricultural purposes (grazing, arable, fodder and fallow land). In the Manawatū, Rangitikei and Tararua Districts this percentage rose to over 90% of total land. The region is one of the most important areas of pastoral farming in New Zealand. It had 7,216,177 sheep (at 30 June 1996), the largest number of sheep in
4032-565: Was spoken by 96.6%, Māori language by 6.0%, Samoan by 1.0% and other languages by 8.5%. No language could be spoken by 2.1% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.8%. The percentage of people born overseas was 15.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.Ethnicities in the 2018 census were 79.4% European/Pākehā, 22.9% Māori, 4.2% Pacific peoples, 6.4% Asian, and 2.2% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities). The subnational gross domestic product (GDP) of Manawatū-Whanganui
4096-485: Was that 97,110 (47.9%) people were employed full-time, 27,678 (13.7%) were part-time, and 6,198 (3.1%) were unemployed. There are two major urban areas. Palmerston North , with a resident population of 83,100 (June 2024 estimate), expanded as an educational centre and a supply centre for the surrounding rural hinterland. It became a city in 1930. The other major urban area is Whanganui , with an estimated resident population of 42,500 as of June 2024. Urban areas with
#607392