The Land

The rolling green countryside is a special part of living in Manawatu. Palmerston North city is surrounded by fertile farms that are used for rearing animals and growing food crops.

New lambs and other baby animals can be seen testing their wobbly legs in springtime. In summer, hay and silage makers are out in the scorched countryside harvesting yellowing grass crops to make feed that can be stored for the winter.

In winter beef animals are grazed and cows and sheep prepare to have their young. Dairy cows, deer, sheep, thoroughbred horses and even ostrich birds are bred and farmed in the region.

Root crops like potatoes and kumara (sweet potato) are grown commercially, as well as leafy green vegetables, several mushroom varieties and cut flowers. With the coast not far away, fresh fish and seafood is also plentiful.

Soils vary from being clay-based in the city, to sandy loam out west. The region is a great place for gardening and Palmerston North is noted internationally for its fabulous rose collections.