The unique geographic location of Palmerston North city and Manawatū, in the centre of the lower North Island, provides a strategic advantage for conference organisers. The compact CBD is just a short 10 minutes' drive from the airport which offers excellent flight connections to all major centres, enabling attendees flying direct from across New Zealand to arrive with ease with more than 40 flights per day in and out of the city. The city's central location also gives access to more than one million people within an easy three-hour drive time.
Bordered by the Tararua and Ruahine mountain ranges which are spectacularly divided by the iconic Te Āpiti – Manawatū Gorge, Palmerston North city and Manawatū offers a unique landscape to be discovered.
Through the urban city of Palmerston North runs the mighty Manawatū River. Take in the stunning river views along the River Pathway or from the new He Ara Kotahi bridge.
Just outside of the city, nature beckons through dramatic rolling hill country, bounded by rivers to the west coast beaches and beyond.
Palmerston North city offers a range of quality venue option with purpose-built convention centres, major hotel chains and for those seeking a unique venue, the opportunity to host your event at an iconic brewery, grand theatre, international motorsport track, rural lodge or a bespoke country club where you can step out of the conference and straight onto the green. All of this is combined with the city’s award-winning coffee, cuisine, arts and theatre; all of these just moments from the venue, providing the perfect components to host an incredible event that will engage your audience.
Palmerston North city and Manawatū have a great range of hotels (up to 4+ star) and motels to cater for your conference delegates' every need. If you're searching for a more relaxing pace, then there are plenty of rural and exclusive retreats to choose from. With more than 35 conference venues and more than 3000 beds, the city is well equipped to cater for your next event.
Palmerston North offers the ability to incorporate exclusive activities into your programme, with expert advice on hand to ensure your delegates gain unforgettable, tailored experiences from corporate social responsibility activities through to cultural engagement.
For a taste of fresh air and some of our region's cherished history, relish the iconic natural playgrounds, Te Āpiti - Manawatū Gorge and come face-to-face with the 6m statue of Whātonga, an ancient Maori Chief.
For those seeking team activities that will serve up some fun, pick and choose from white-water rafting, wake boarding, and kite surfing, to incredible mountain biking at Arapuke Park. For something a little different, try blokarting or let the team hone their coffee skills with a coffee cupping class with local award-winning coffee roastery.
For the cultured among us, a trifecta of museums will take you through New Zealand’s history, from rugby through to agriculture, arts, culture and heritage.