Tararua (district), New Zealand

The Tararua District lies near the south-east corner of New Zealand's North Island. Created in 1989, it was named after the Tararua Range, which forms much of its western boundary.

Its north-west boundary runs along the top of the Ruahine Range; its south-east boundary is the Pacific Ocean; and the catchment of the Manawatu River generally defines the north and south extremities. That catchment is also the reason why the district is in the Manawatu-Wanganui Region.

Chief town is Dannevirke, settled by hard-working immigrants from Denmark in the 19th century. It is also the centre for a Community Board. Other towns (from south to north along the main valleys) include Eketahuna and Pahiatua, which have their own Community Boards, and Woodville, Ormondville, and Norsewood. Near the coast are Pongaroa, Herbertville,