Wanganui

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Wanganui Regional Information

The city of Wanganui is a beautiful historic city on the banks of the mighty Whanganui River. It was initially settled around the year 1350 by Maori, but by 1840 was the destination for European emigrants to New Zealand who were unable to buy land in the Wellington region. Maori opposed the occupation of their land, bringing about the land wars of the 1860's.

To learn more about the region's history and the cultures of its people, visit the Wanganui Regional Museum, a large centre featuring displays of Maori artifacts, including the beautiful Te Mata o Houroa war canoe, greenstone mere or clubs and other carved works. On the same grounds you will find the Sarjeant Gallery, whose permanent collection contains over 5,000 works of art, with a focus on 19th and early 20th century British and European art. There are also regular changing exhibitions.

The setting for the museum and gallery is Queens Park, one of several grassy parks in the heart of the city. Also in the city centre are Moutoa Gardens, known to Maori as Pakaitore. Here, the racial tensions of yesteryear are still felt. In 1995, it was the site of a four month occupation by Maori who attempted to make a legal claim on the land. This attempt was not successful and the protest ended peacefully. The Virginia Lake Reserve is another spot where holiday makers and locals enjoy themed gardens and a walk-in aviary.

From tamed gardens to wilderness, Wanganui provides easy access to secluded natural surroundings. The Whanganui National Park offers you the chance to enter a large area of native bush, with many walking tracks, waterways and native birds. The Whanganui River is a focal point within the Wanganui region and has cultural and spiritual significance to the region's Maori. The river's course runs through a variety of environments, from dense rainforest to sharp gorges, rolling farmland and coastal valleys. Take a guided multi-tour journey along the river and experience its power.

Navigate with our great Wanganui map to stay on the right track and find what you're looking for when traveling in the region. While you're on the road, be prepared for all seasons with weather forecasts, reports and current information on Wanganui weather.

For more information, visit the Wanganui information site.