Horowhenua District

Horowhenua is a district in the south of the North Island of New Zealand.

Geography

The about 1000 km ² large Horowhenua District is located on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island in the Manawatu-Wanganui Region. The western boundary of the district is the Tasman Sea, to the north (all in Manawatu -Wanganui ) includes the Manawatu, in the north- east of the city district of Palmerston North and east of the Tararua District on. To the southeast of Masterton District and south of the Kapiti Coast District, belonging to the Wellington region is located.

Geographically, the eastern boundary is formed by the Tararua Range, up to 1571 meters high central mountain chain.

Before human settlement was located in the district of an extensive wetland and later a major flax industry, but productive grasslands gave way soon after the arrival of white settlers. Nowadays, an attempt is made especially around Lake Horowhenua, restore the original vegetation again and keep in a Conservation Park.

A special feature of the Horowhenua District are the Artesian wells, natural springs, from which emerges below the groundwater horizon water under pressure.

Population

Capital and main town of the district is 19,500 inhabitants ( 2003) Levin. Other major towns are Shannon and Foxton. In addition, a few settlements exist both on the beach on the west coast, as well as at the three state highways that run through the district.

Economy

Horticulture, dairy farming and the textile industry are the main industries.