As he pursued his wife, who had left him for another lover, along the south-west coast of the North Island, he came across and named river mouths, including Whanganui, Whangaehu and Rangitīkei according to events that befell him at the time.

He then came across the mouth of the large, wide Manawatū River; awed by the sight and in fear he might not be able to cross it, he said, "Ka tū taku manawa" (My heart stands still).

Like some other areas of New Zealand such as Wairarapa and the King Country, the Manawatū in this sense has never had precisely defined boundaries, its extents determined largely by custom and preference.

Manawatu District covers 2,566.59 km2 (990.97 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 34,800 as of June 2024,[2] with a density of 13.6 people per km2.

Other towns and settlements include Halcombe, Himatangi Beach, Kimbolton, Pohangina, Rongotea, Sanson, and Tangimoana.

Three towns split off to form borough councils: Palmerston North (1877, raised to city status in 1930), Feilding (1881), and Foxton (1888).

In 1903 Oroua County was officially established, covering the remaining parts after these splits, and also losing Ashhurst (transferred to Palmerston North).

[13] Helen Worboys won the mayoralty from the incumbent Margaret Kouvelis in the 2016 Local Government elections.

[citation needed] The western coast has swimming beaches and large dunes, while the Ruahine Ranges in the east has walking tracks and views over the district from the Wharite mountain or from the Saddle Road.

[citation needed] In the middle of the district is Feilding, with its saleyards, equestrian and motorsport venue (Manfeild), boutique shopping and historical landmarks and collections.