Hokowhitu Lagoon is the city's largest body of water — an oxbow lake formed centuries ago when the Manawatū River cut a new channel and abandoned a long meander. Today the lagoon sits in the middle of a residential suburb, ringed by a paved 2.5-kilometre walking and cycling track that is one of the most popular casual walks in Palmy.
The lagoon supports paradise ducks, pukeko, swans, and a small population of eel; the central island is a bird sanctuary. The walking loop takes about 30 minutes at a brisk pace and links naturally with the gardens of Caccia Birch House on its eastern shore. Best at dawn or dusk; in the middle of the day it can be exposed and shadeless.