Publication
Solution on way for windy recycling days
All households in Whanganui’s kerbside recycling network will receive crate nets to combat “wind disruption”. Whanganui District Council ran an eight-week trial from March 2, with about 1000 properties each receiving two elasticated nets. Council...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Parking rules tweaked
Whanganui District Council’s central city parking review is “yet to progress” but minor tweaks have been made to parking in four locations. At a meeting last month, councillors voted unanimously to permanently add two mobility parks on Guyton St, at...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Critical rescue’ proves worth of public buoy
Arescue buoy has been installed at Castlecliff Beach as part of a national rollout to boost water safety, and it’s already been used as part of a “critical” rescue. Public rescue equipment (PRE) – consisting of a rescue buoy and clear, simple...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Rangitīkei storm road repairs hit $2.75m
The Rangitīkei District’s road repair costs are estimated at $2.75 million after the February storm. Roading transport manager Darryn Black presented a report to the Rangitīkei District Council at its assets and infrastructure meeting on May 28,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Search for a city hotel site
Whanganui District Council has spent $74,000 so far on a plan to bring a hotel development to the central city. The council is working with property and development strategists Veros to source potential investors. The council has also revealed other...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Council’s river divide
Horizons Regional Council has approved funding of nearly $350,000 a year for a statutory partnership board and its work to improve the health of the Whangaehu River catchment. Councillors were sharply divided in a closely contested vote, with the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Call for ‘cat curfew’
The Whanganui District Council has been asked to introduce a “cat curfew” to protect native wildlife. A submission on the council’s Keeping of Animals, Poultry and Bees Bylaw from Whanganui resident Bill Simmons said domestic cats should be indoors...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Council urged to back library project
The former manager of Whanganui’s Davis Library has urged the council to commit to an extension project, but another deferral appears likely. During submission hearings on Whanganui District Council’s 2026-27 Annual Plan, Pete Gray said libraries were...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Marae solar project boosts mana motuhake
Five marae from Whanganui to Taumarunui are running on solar power and many more could join a major green energy initiative aimed at cutting electricity costs and strengthening community resilience. The marae-based solar project, led and funded by iwi...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Police puppy named to honour former handler
Whanganui Senior Constable Jason Page was “taken aback” after discovering his colleagues decided to name a police dog foster puppy after him. Jason Page, a former police dog handler, had just returned from six months of travelling and visited the Dog...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Call to reinstate Jewish headstones
John Charteris and historian Laraine Sole are calling for Whanganui District Council to reinstate the Jewish headstones at Heads Rd Cemetery in Whanganui. The headstones were removed between 1968 and 1969 following a closing and clearance order from...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Resilience needed’ as traditional skills taught
Anew cohort of Māori trade trainees has begun their next learning journey with Ngāti Rangi in Ohakune. Tū whitia te Hopo is a funded tertiary education programme delivered by the iwi’s Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust in partnership with the Eastern...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Showing its value’
Patronage on the Whanganui bus network has doubled in the month since its revamped network was launched. In the month to May 17, there were 31,411 trips recorded, up 110% from 14,944 during the same time period in 2025. The new network was launched on...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Sediment cores offer clues to sea-level rise
Sediment cores from the Whanganui basin, which provide the “world’s best record of sea level change”, have been retrieved from storage and put into the lab again. The cores will be studied by Victoria University of Wellington PhD student Hana Ishii to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CALL TO HONOUR SUFFRAGE ICON
Whanganui District Council has been called on to acquire a historic church site and turn it into “a fitting memorial” for a women’s suffrage icon. During hearings on the council’s 2026/27 annual plan, Mark Ward made a public submission saying St...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Opera house still bound by scaffolding woes
Temporary scaffolding remains in Whanganui’s premier performing arts venue, with the district council looking at ways “to improve stage functionality”. In 2023, the Whanganui District Council removed the Royal Whanganui Opera House’s fly floor and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
10 years, still no backpay
Whanganui healthcare workers say they are “disillusioned” by a decade-long wait for Holiday Act remediation pay. Just over 5000 former and current Whanganui staff are impacted. Employees — 1206 current and 3891 former — have been waiting since 2016...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Overlooked’
Fordell School’s principal says a lack of infrastructure in the village is endangering pupils and the wider community. Yvette Woodhouse told Whanganui district councillors this week her concerns, including open drains and narrow footpaths, were “not...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
New Federated Farmers head seeks more unity
Federated Farmers Whanganui’s new president aims to make primary industries less of a “political football”. Laura Morrison takes over from Ben Fraser, who was elected to Horizons Regional Council last year. She and husband Richard Morrison run The...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Region’s waste well above average
New data shows Whanganui is sending a third more waste to landfill than the national average. Waste to landfill per capita in Whanganui was 720kg per person (for the 2024/25 financial year), well up on the New Zealand average of 530kg per...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Wastewater sludge storage nears capacity
Sludge storage at Whanganui’s wastewater treatment plant is expected to reach capacity within three years and getting rid of it will be “quite a challenge”. A report from Whanganui District Council senior stormwater engineer Kritzo Venter said a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Massive implications’
Council amalgamation is being fast-tracked in Whanganui, Ruapehu and Rangitīkei, with territorial authorities given three months to formulate a plan. On May 5, Resource Management Act Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Mega-muster’ completed
A“mega-muster” of wild Kaimanawa horses has taken place in the Waiōuru Military Training Area. Earlier this year, the Kaimanawa Heritage Horses Welfare Society (KHH), which co-ordinates rehoming, was concerned about the management of the horses by the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Settlement signed
Whanganui iwi leaders delivered a clear message to the Crown as they signed a historic Treaty settlement on Saturday: the relationship must change. After nearly a decade of formal negotiations and generations of groundwork, more than 350 people...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Budget boost good news for book worms
Whanganui Library will get a bigger budget to buy books for its collection after funding was slashed two years ago. The budget was cut from $310,000 to $210,000 in 2024 as part of a $1.5 million cut in council spending to keep rates low. Catherine...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Police probe threats to settlement signing
Police have confirmed they are aware of social media posts appearing to encourage disruption and potential violence at the signing of a Treaty settlement in Whanganui, including calls for opponents to bring firearms and block access to the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Meth use stays high
Wastewater testing has revealed methamphetamine use remains prominent in Whanganui. Results obtained by the Chronicle through the Official Information Act show methamphetamine (meth) is consumed more than other illicit drugs in Whanganui. The testing...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Have we a cat crisis?
Whanganui residents have an opportunity to ask for support to deal with the city’s cat population as agencies struggle to keep up. Horizons Regional Council reviews its regional pest management plan every 10 years, with the chance for public input...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Council examines $11m flight school loss
Areview of Whanganui’s flight school is expected to take six to eight weeks and will rely “on people’s cooperation”. The New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy (NZICPA), owned by Whanganui District Council, will close mid-year with a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘This is, like, the dream’
Houses backed by $4.45m Govt funding to stem housing shortages Ngāti Rangi whānau have celebrated the opening of their new housing subdivision in Ohakune. A whakanoa (lifting of tapū) took place early last Sunday. During her address at the ceremony,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CALLING IT QUITS
About 20 payphones remain in Whanganui but they could be disconnected in a matter of months. In a statement Spark NZ, which operates the network, said Chorus’ decommissioning of copper had been accelerating across the country. “This means the majority...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘WE SHOULD CELEBRATE’
Whanganui iwi members have voted overwhelmingly to ratify their historic Treaty settlement with the Crown, marking a major milestone in a decades-long process. The news comes after votes from a two-month ratification process were counted. Lead...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘It is a good step’
Government-funded medication for children may soon be available in Whanganui pharmacies, easing “bottleneck environments” in the health system. On April 15, Health Minister Simeon Brown announced a proposal for pharmacists to supply medicines for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Funding secured for bridge replacement
Whanganui’s Wakefield Street Bridge will be replaced and the Government is stumping up 62% of the $2.7 million cost. The Government funding was announced on Sunday with Transport Minister Chris Bishop saying it was an important link across the New...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
States of emergency in place after heavy rain
Mandatory evacuations were not required after the river peak and high tide in the Whanganui River was lower than forecast. Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe declared a state of local emergency for the Whanganui district at 6.57am yesterday with heavy rain...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘We’re the guinea pigs’
Meridian has submitted a fast-track consent application to build a 5000ha energy park between Waitōtara and Waiinu Beach, but some residents remain “pretty much 100% opposed” to the project. Last May, the Whanganui Chronicle reported that Meridian...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Council edges towards takeover of museum
Whanganui District Council is likely to take over operations at Whanganui Regional Museum, with negotiations about to begin. In 2024, the council, the museum’s major financial backer, provided up to $250,000 in emergency funding on the condition that...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Free bus rides to mark new network
Bus fares will be free for the next month as Whanganui’s new bus network launches. Connect-Horizons Regional Transport will launch the new network on Friday, April 17, the inaugural World Public Transport Day. Rides will be free until May 17. Horizons...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Safety comes first’
Acliffside lookout and freedom camping site at Whanganui’s Kai Iwi Beach has been closed permanently due to coastal erosion. The Mowhanau lookout on Sunset Parade was closed to freedom campers on January 26, with consultants WSP completing a report on...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Council says no to fee waiver for airline
Whanganui District Council has declined Air Chathams’ request to temporarily waive aeronautical fees as the airline battles rising fuel costs. Air Chathams chief executive Duane Emeny said he was disappointed by the decision as a 100% waiver would...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Very welcome news’
Variable 30km/h speed limits will soon be in place around 33 Whanganui schools, with 237 signs going into the ground. The project, mandated by the Government, has a budget of $694,000, split between NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA, 68%) and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘We have lost our identity’
Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe wants to get the ball rolling on the possibility of splitting up the Manawatū -Whanganui region. The region was established in 1989 as part of local body reorganisation, according to Toitū Te Whenua, Land Information New...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
REGION BRACES
Residents in the WhanganuiManawatū region are being urged to prepare for severe gales and long periods of heavy rain as Cyclone Vaianu moves in from the north this weekend. A strong wind watch is in place for the region from 4am on Sunday to 1am on...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Cemetery expansion secures burial space
An extension to Whanganui’s Aramoho Cemetery is set to provide burial capacity for the next eight years. Whanganui District Council has opened Lawn Extension E, which will provide 842 burial plots in addition to 398 existing available plots. Parks and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Transport companies warn of price pain ahead
Surging fuel prices are hitting Whanganui transport companies hard and they warn it is only a matter of time before the rises affect groceries and other essentials. Whanganui transport company Sharp As Linehaul is spending $26,240 more on diesel a day...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Cautious optimism’
Latest labour market statistics show Whanganui may be weathering 2025‘s employment decline better than other parts of New Zealand. Whanganui & Partners economic development team lead Tim Easton said the data suggested relative resilience in Whanganui’s...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘The absolute worst I’ve ever seen it’
Whanganui is feeling the effects of a pharmacist shortage, with one chain store closing and another forced to change its name. The Woolworths Victoria Ave pharmacy will shut this month. In a statement, Woolworths NZ head of pharmacy Jeremy Armes said...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Fuel hikes spark surge in EVS
Combined new and New Zealand-new registrations of light battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVS) were 1540 for the week ending March 29. The number has been rising each week since March 8, when there were 347. According...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Prescription maze
Whanganui patients will continue to struggle to get some ADHD medications in 2026 as Pharmac announces shortages are expected throughout the year. In recent years, there have been global shortages of methylphenidate, the commonly used stimulant...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Upgraded MRI eases pressure on waitlists
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora is using Whanganui Hospital’s upgraded MRI capacity to cut wait times in larger centres such as Wellington. The MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine was installed at Whanganui Hospital in August 2024, replacing a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘We are hamstrung’
Ruapehu’s mayor says dog control laws are failing communities and leaving authorities unable to act decisively after attacks. Ruapehu District Council is calling for sweeping changes to dog control laws, including stronger powers. “Council would...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Council financing $6.7m cost of water entity
Whanganui District Council is financing the $6.7 million cost of establishing a new water entity, but the debt will not remain on its books. Last July, the council agreed to partner with Ruapehu District Council for water delivery, with assets to be...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Integrity and commitment’
The Whanganui Rugby Rugby Football Union’s chief executive Bridget Belsham will step down as after an 11-year tenure. She was the first female to hold the role since the union was established in 1888. Chair Pe´tra Allen said Belsham’s service,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Council adds $1.4m to link road budget
Whanganui District Council will spend an extra $1.4 million to complete a link road in Springvale. Construction of Pingao Drive, stretching 600 metres between Fitzherbert Ave and Fox Rd, began last October. A report from senior stormwater engineer...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Whanganui East pool survives closure vote
Whanganui East Pool has survived another vote on closure but a major upgrade project will not be finished before next season. The pool’s hydroslide did not operate in 2025-26 and its diving board was removed before the 2024-25 season because of safety...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Whanganui aid stretched to limit
Akey support agency in Whanganui is struggling to keep its doors open as food assistance requests soar. Demand at City Mission Whanganui for food services rose more than 30% in January and February – on top of a 100% increase in 2025 from 2024. City...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Little left to squeeze’
Whanganui District Council is proposing an average rates increase of 5.8% for 2026-27, more than double that of the current financial year. But it is below the 6.6% rise forecast in its 2024-34 Long-Term Plan (LTP). Council strategy and partnerships...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Councillors strike down Sarjeant door charge
Whanganui District councillors have voted against a door charge at Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery. Councillors voted 9-3 against a proposal to charge out-of-town visitors $15. Council strategy and policy manager David Gurney said council officers...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Over the bloody moon’
Construction of a 120-metre suspension bridge more than 10 years in the making will begin next month. Part of the 3000km Te Araroa Trail, it will cross the Whangaehu River near its mouth at the Tasman Sea, allowing people to follow the coast from...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Long wait for ‘complex’ permanent SH4 rebuild
Work to reinstate part of State Highway 4 near Raetihi remains in the design phase, several years after a major slip. In October 2019, a slip 400m long and 200m wide caused significant damage. The highway was closed until a temporary road was...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Storm hits road budget hard
Damage from February’s storm has resulted in a $2 million repair cost for roading in the Rangitīkei District and up to $120,000 for parks and reserves. At a meeting on March 12, Rangitīkei District Council agreed to submit a funding application to NZ...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Councils ‘legally committed’ to plan
Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton says the district must proceed with its planned two-council water organisation with Whanganui, despite fears household charges could rise by 92% within eight years. “While we recognise those concerns, council is legally...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Back to normal’
Whanganui property values remain stable in the latest Quotable Value figures released on Tuesday. In a statement, Quotable Value (QV) said the average value of residential housing in Whanganui dropped 0.5% since the last valuation in September...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Three times faster’
Help could be at hand to tackle dredging issues at Whanganui Port. Associate Transport Minister James Meager was in Whanganui this week to announce an $8 million investment in a purpose-built grab hopper barge. It is a co-funding deal with Johnson...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Public pushback on Delhi Ave housing plan
A social housing development in the Whanganui suburb of Aramoho has drawn the ire of some neighbouring residents. But the Government’s housing agency, Kāinga Ora, says their concerns have been considered. The Chronicle reported on March 4 that Kāinga...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Council safeguards against battery fires
Whanganui District Council is taking extra precautions to minimise fire risks at its recycling centre after two blazes in three years. In 2023, a fire in OJI Fibre Solutions’ baling facility meant the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre (WRRC) was...
Read Full Story (Page 1)