Manawatu-Wanganui is a region in the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand, around the cities of Palmerston North and Whanganui. It is administered by the Horizons Regional Council.

The region covers all or part of ten Districts. Parts of five of these are covered by five other regions of New Zealand, the most of any region. In descending order of land area the Districts are Ruapehu, Tararua (part), Rangitikei (part), Manawatu, Wanganui, Horowhenua, Stratford (part), Palmerston North, Waitomo (part) and Taupo (part).

The region is dominated and defined by two significant river catchments, the Whanganui and the Manawatu. The Whanganui River, in the region's northwest, is the longest navigable river in New Zealand. The river was extremely important to early Māori as it was the southern link in a chain of waterways that spanned almost two-thirds of the North Island. It was one of the chief areas of Māori settlement with its easily fortified cliffs and ample food supplies. Legends emphasise the importance of the river and it remains sacred to Wanganui iwi. Māori along the coast and lowland plains grew kumara and other crops. The Manawatu River runs across the centre of the region, from rolling hill country in the east to the fertile Manawatu Plains in the west. the main city of Palmerston North is located on these plains, and is an important service city for the southern North Island as a whole. This river is unusual, in that it passes from hill country to plains through a gorge cut into much higher country, an indication that the hills have risen since the river formed.

Regional Council or regional council may refer to the following: