Whanganui

Whanganui, commonly spelled Whanganui in Māori, is a city and river on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. It is the main urban center of the Whanganui District in the Manawatū-Whanganui region, situated on the Whanganui River close to its mouth at the Tasman Sea, about 200 kilometres north of Wellington.

Whanganui River is one of the country’s longest. In Māori tradition the river is considered a living natural entity, and in 2017 it was accorded legal personhood under the Te Awa Tupua settlement, recognizing the river and its watershed as an indivisible whole with iwi and the Crown.

The Māori name Whanganui is often interpreted as "big harbour" or "place of winds." The city and river have long been associated with Māori settlement and with river-based travel and trade.

European settlement in the 19th century brought timber extraction, farming, and port activity, which helped the city grow. The river remained central to transport and commerce, while today the economy emphasizes services, education, and tourism.

Notable features include Moutoa Gardens, the Whanganui Regional Museum, and the Durie Hill Elevator, a historic funicular linked to the Durie Hill summit and the city’s skyline. The downstream estuary and riverfront are popular for walking and boating. Local governance is provided by the Whanganui District Council, and the city serves as a cultural and administrative hub for the surrounding region.