Te Pūwaha

01/06/2026

Check out the latest concept images for the North Mole area!

Keen to find out more?

Come and join the North Mole project team this Sunday, 7 June to meet the people behind the project, check out the concept plans, and hear more about the vision for the area.

📍 North Mole carpark
🕚 11.00am–2.00pm
🌭 BBQ and entertainment

Everyone is welcome and there is no cost to attend. If it's raining, the event will move to Duncan Pavilion.

Check out the event page here: https://buff.ly/xyWxkKP

28/05/2026

Meanwhile across the awa at the North Mole restoration project plans are taking shape!

Check out all of the details, including an upcoming community day, in their post below 👇

Plans for the North Mole are taking shape!

Come along on Sunday, 7 June to learn more about the next steps in the North Mole Restoration Project.

It’s a great chance to meet the people behind the project, check out the concept plans, and hear more about the vision for the area.

📍 North Mole carpark
🕚 11.00am–2.00pm
🌭 BBQ and entertainment

Everyone is welcome and there is no cost to attend. If it's raining, we’ll move to Duncan Pavilion.

Check out the event page here: https://buff.ly/xyWxkKP

Find out more about the project and the latest concept images here: https://buff.ly/hm5e3JQ

📸: Members of the North Mole steering group meet with the designers on site. See less

Whanganui District Council Progress Castlecliff

27/05/2026

You may start noticing a bit more activity around South Beach, with phase two of the South Mole works now officially underway and rock deliveries beginning this week.

This next phase will help strengthen the coastline, reduce erosion, improve flood resilience and support a safer river channel at the mouth of the awa.

Alongside the construction works, large-scale dune restoration and native planting will continue across the South Spit to help rebuild the natural environment and strengthen the coastline for the future.

South Beach will remain open during the works, however the stockpile site carpark near the South Mole will be temporarily closed for safety reasons. Please follow signage and keep clear of active work areas so everyone can stay safe.

More information can be found at www.whanganuiport.co.nz/2026/05/27/south-mole-works-underway-as-next-phase-begins/

Horizons Regional Council Whanganui District Council Whanganui Port Progress Castlecliff

18/04/2026

A State of Local Emergency has been declared for Whanganui.

6.57am, 19 April 2026

Flooding is forecast later today due to severe rainfall across the middle and upper catchments of the Whanganui River overnight.

Please take care and follow Whanganui District Council for the latest updates and how this could potentially affect you.

Further information is detailed below 👇

STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY DECLARED FOR WHANGANUI DISTRICT
7.30AM, Sunday 19 April

Due to severe rainfall across the middle and upper catchments of the Whanganui River overnight, Mayor Andrew Tripe has declared a state of local emergency for the Whanganui District at 6.57am this morning due to forecast flooding from river levels.
Flood levels are forecast to:

· Come very close to the top or overtopping the stopbanks at Kōwhai Park
· Likely to close Whanganui River Road and affect upper river areas where roads will be affected in several locations including at the Whanganui River Hunting and Food Festival at Pungarehu Marae.

This means we need residents of riverside flood prone locations to prepare to evacuate and if required, evacuate designated areas. These areas include:
• The lower area of Whanganui East, Anzac Parade
• Lower area of Taupo Quay and the lower boardwalk areas
• Upper River communities
• Lower areas of Putiki, which may have water across roads and through marae/kohanga reo locations

Residents who wish to proactively evacuate are encouraged to do so to whānau or friends in the first instance. Emergency Evacuation Centres will be at St Paul’s Church in Guyton Street and Whanganui Girls’ College, Whanganui East, and will open later this morning. Partners are working with vulnerable communities, including our homeless.

The community can expect roads to be closed and cordons to be in place.

“We need residents to prepare to evacuate seriously and to self-evacuate early if you are already concerned. If at any point you feel unsafe – dial 111”, says Mayor Andrew Tripe.

“We have a great team of Emergency Management Staff, Red Cross, Emergency Services, volunteers, community, Defence Force and Regional and Local Council staff all doing their part to support you – and we now need Whanganui residents to do their part”.

Residents should follow the Council’s page and website for the latest updates. An emergency management advisory will also follow this morning.

Ruapehu District Council declared a local state of emergency at 3.21am this morning.

07/04/2026

Ever wondered how the South Mole protects our awa?

Taken at the end of last year by our contractors Mills-Albert Limited, these images show the South Mole doing exactly what it’s designed to do — breaking up the force of incoming waves before they reach the river mouth.

By reducing wave energy, the mole helps protect the northern side, including the Whanganui Port, and supports a more stable, safer channel for the awa. It also helps hold sand in place, reducing erosion along the South Spit and strengthening the surrounding dune system.

Along the sand dunes, you can also see the white biodegradable hessian matting we use as erosion control prior to planting. This is where thousands of native plants will be planted this winter, helping to rebuild strong, healthy dunes that can better withstand the harsh coastal conditions.

In the coming months, construction will begin on Phase Two of the South Mole works. This includes extending the mole to its full design length at a height of 2.3 metres, further strengthening protection at the river mouth.

These resilience works are not just about building infrastructure – they are also about restoring the health of our awa and surrounding environment.

They reflect Te Pūwaha’s commitment to leaving the area stronger, more resilient, and better for future generations.

You can read more about our restoration works here 👉 www.whanganuiport.co.nz/te-puwaha/south-mole-construction/

Whanganui Port Whanganui District Council Horizons Regional Council Progress Castlecliff

19/03/2026

With the first stage of construction works at the base of the South Mole and Tanea Groyne completed late last year, large scale indigenous planting is planned across the South Mole and surrounding dune system.

This will help strengthen the resilience of the South Spit dunes against erosion and scouring and supporting the long term stability of the lower river channel.

In the meantime, the project team is also preparing for phase two works, which will extend the South Mole to its full design length and deliver further resilience improvements upstream of the Tanea Groyne. The successful tenderers for phase two will be announced in the coming weeks.

Follow our page for updates on upcoming community planting days. 🌱🗓

Check out our full media release here 👉 https://bit.ly/4lNxBvK

Horizons Regional Council Whanganui District Council Whanganui District Employment Training Trust Whanganui Port Progress Castlecliff Kānoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit

19/03/2026

It’s great to see momentum building on the North Mole restoration project

At Te Pūwaha, we’re proud to support kaupapa that connect people to place and strengthen our coastal environment for future generations.

Follow the North Mole restoration project for updates as this exciting mahi continues.

26/02/2026

Fantastic to see Q-West Boat Builders' plug-in hybrid electric fast ferry will soon enter service on the Auckland to Devonport commuter route.

This plug-in hybrid electric fast ferry is the first of two being built by project partners Q-West, making full use of the new hard stand and mobile boat hoist at Whanganui Port, another Te Pūwaha project partner.

It is more than just a ferry. It represents the skill, innovation and marine excellence grounded here in Whanganui, and the strength of partnership in action.

https://www.marinebusinessnews.com.au/2026/02/aucklands-first-plug-in-hybrid-electric-fast-ferry-performs-exceptionally-on-sea-trials-and-set-to-enter-service/

Whanganui District Council Whanganui District Employment Training Trust Horizons Regional Council Progress Castlecliff

In a major milestone for Auckland’s public transport network, the city’s first plug-in hybrid electric fast ferry has performed exceptionally on sea trials and will soon enter service on the busy Auckland to Devonport commuter route. The vessel achieved a top speed of 36 knots on all-electric mo...

19/02/2026

📸 We spotted these incredible images which were shared by Karina Hunt earlier today and, with her permission, we are pleased to share them with you.

These images were taken of the Whanganui Port, capturing all of the action over a short period of time.

As you can see, the work on Wharf 3 is progressing well with completion expected by June this year.

Thanks for sharing your mahi Karina 😊

12/01/2026

All aboard for the Whanganui Vintage Weekend! 🚂

Skunk the locomotive will be on display this weekend. If you are into Skunk as much as we are, this will be a great opportunity to see Skunk firsthand and to learn more about Steam Rail Whanganui's restoration efforts.

One of New Zealand's oldest surviving steam engines will be on display at Vintage Weekend.