Manawatu Culture

Palmerston North is a city of many ethnic groups and entertainment options.  Polynesian, Asian and African groups mix with the predominant European-based cultures.

Favourite local pastimes include playing and watching sport, going to the movies, eating out and enjoying live music and theatre. 

Palmerston North boasts more cafes and restaurants per head of population than any other New Zealand city.  The city is a vibrant youth-oriented place with many entertainment venues operating every night of the week. Food from all over the world is served in the restaurants – Japanese, Thai, Indian, Chinese, Indonesian, French, Italian and American cuisine can be sampled as well as New Zealand foods and South Pacific “fusion” foods that mix several styles.