Whanganui Chronicle
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...
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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...
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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...
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‘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...
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‘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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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‘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,...
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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...
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‘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...
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‘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...
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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...
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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...
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‘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...
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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...
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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...
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‘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...
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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...
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‘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...
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‘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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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‘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...
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‘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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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‘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...
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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...
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‘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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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‘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...
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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...
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‘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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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‘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...
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‘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...
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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...
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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...
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Whanganui Collegiate under investigation
One of the country’s most expensive state-integrated schools, Whanganui Collegiate, is facing an Ombudsman’s investigation, a court case and scrutiny from the Ministry of Education. The Ombudsman is investigating a complaint about the school’s fees,...
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‘Sitting thigh-to-thigh’
Whanganui’s leading public transport advocate says replacing buses with vans means higher costs and less comfort. Anthonie Tonnon, Whanganui District Council’s representative on Horizons Regional Council’s passenger transport committee, said using...
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New Kā inga Ora homes on the way in Aramoho
A10-home Kāinga Ora development in Whanganui is gathering steam, with consent applications to be filed next month. Eight two-bedroom homes and two four-bedroom homes are planned on Delhi Ave in Aramoho. Whanganui MP Carl Bates said the project had a...
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New parks a short-term fix for gallery woes
Shell rock car parks have been installed outside Whanganui’s Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery, but a long-term solution to the area’s parking woes remains under wraps. The gallery, next to the Davis Library at Pukenamu Queen’s Park, reopened to the...
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‘Over the moon’
The National Park Volunteer Fire Brigade is “over the moon” with its new fire truck, which will boost its ability to respond in challenging terrain. Fire and Emergency NZ provided the Waimarino-based brigade with a Volvo Type 1 truck last month. The...
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Study warns Whanganui faces risk of deadly flood
Mike Tweed Aone-in-200-year flood in Whanganui could kill eight people and damage more than 4000 buildings. That is according to Horizons Regional Council’s regional flood vulnerability assessment (FVA), completed after 18 months of work. A report...
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Key Ō hakea upgrade to boost aviation, tourism
Along-awaited change will make the Ō hakea Air Force base available full-time for the world’s biggest passenger aircraft. It is a move airlines have been pushing for, and the minister responsible for aviation has agreed to make it a priority. An...
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Fears new move-on orders miss the mark
Whanganui social services are not convinced by the Government’s new move-on orders but the electorate’s MP says they allow police to “step in early to prevent harm”. On Sunday, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced that under a proposed amendment...
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Baby tips scales at 15lb
AWhanganui newborn has tipped the scales at 15lb 3oz (6.89kg) — about double the average birth weight. Tokatūmoana Karanga-Tims was born on February 19 at Whanganui Hospital by C-section and is Annie and Atawhai Karanga-Tims’ third child. But...
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River dumping cases prompt fresh outrage
Whanganui District Council’s battle against illegal rubbish dumping is not slowing down. A report from Whanganui District Council officers Morgan Harrison, John Sula, and Stuart Hylton said there were also several instances of “illegal dumping being...
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End of the line
Alarge fire at Marton’s railway station building has prompted KiwiRail’s decision to demolish the building. The 61-year-old building was significantly damaged by a fire on January 4 — the second in its history. The first was in 1993, when a third of...
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‘Why don’t we just fund it’
Hoped-for government funding for the Wakefield St Bridge replacement is no closer, with the Whanganui District Council now mulling whether to fund the entire project itself. The Chronicle reported in November that NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi...
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Clifftop site remains closed
Afreedom camping site at Whanganui’s Kai Iwi Beach will remain closed for at least the next two weeks. Whanganui District Council closed the Mowhanau Lookout carpark on Sunset Parade on January 26, due to new erosion on a cliff wall. The carpark also...
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Independent review for port upgrade project
Removing contaminated materials from Whanganui Port’s redevelopment has led to unbudgeted expenditure of $4.2 million. An independent review of the entire project is now under way, due to the extra cost, dredging issues and health and safety...
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Jail staff face rising violence
Whanganui Prison recorded its highest number of prisoner-on-staff assaults in more than a decade in 2025. There were 63 reported incidents of staff assaults at the Kaitoke-based Whanganui Prison. That is more than three times the 21 reported in the...
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