Palmerston North is a city in the North Island of New Zealand. Located in the eastern Manawatu Plains, the city is near the north bank of the Manawatu River. According to the population census conducted in June 2022, Palmerston North is the country’s eighth-largest urban area, with an urban population of 81,200.

Although Palmerston North has 1.9% of the population of New Zealand, 2.5% of the nation's employees work in the city. The important sectors are tertiary education, research and central government.

At the 2013 census, the largest employment industries for Palmerston North residents were Palmerston North has economic strengths in research, especially in the bio-industry, defence, distribution and smart business sectors.

Palmerston North has a long history of innovation in the business sector. A number of firms founded in or near the city have become nationally or internationally renowned. One the of largest and well known of these is GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)

Palmerston North has a number of facilities and attractions. It is also the gateway to attractions in other parts of the region, such as Tongariro National Park, Ruahine and Tararus Ranges.

Palmerston North and its surroundings feature roughly 100 parks and reserves. Most notable is Victoria Esplanade, a 26-hectare park located along the northern bank of the Manawatu Ruver west of Fitzherbert Avenue.

Kunshan and Palmerston North became sister cities in October 1994.