The Manawatu District is a local government district located in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. Its administrative centre and largest town is Feilding, often referred to as "New Zealand's Most Beautiful Town" due to its well-preserved Edwardian architecture and floral displays. The district spans a geographical area that includes a significant portion of the fertile Manawatu Plains to the west and extends eastward into the foothills of the Ruahine Range.
Agriculture forms the predominant economic activity within the Manawatu District, with extensive dairy farming, sheep and beef farming, and cropping contributing significantly to the local economy. The Manawatu District Council is responsible for local governance, infrastructure, and community services for its residents, who are distributed across rural areas and smaller towns and settlements in addition to Feilding. The district is distinct from the wider Manawatū region, which also encompasses the city of Palmerston North.