The Manawatu Gorge (Māori: Te Āpiti) is a steep-sided gorge formed by the Manawatu River in the North Island of New Zealand. At 6km long, the Manawatu Gorge divides the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges, linking the Manawatu and Hawke's Bay regions. It lies to the northeast of Palmerston North. Its western end is near the small town of Ashhurst and its eastern end is close to the town of Woodville