From the heart of the North Island to its wild west coast, Whanganui is rich in history, culture and a diverse natural environment.

Our city is a unique blend of heritage architecture and cutting-edge creativity. We’re big enough to support ground-breaking ambitions and small enough for authentic connection. We welcome new stories to enhance our ever-growing community and new residents and businesses find the support they need here.

View of tower, river and city of Whanganui

Meet the locals

Our people make this place what it is.

This is a place of collaboration and support where people and ideas are welcomed, and difference is valued. We embrace the hundreds of thousands of individual stories that have touched our community, and we celebrate the value of adding more.

Sam Monaghan

Business owner

Sam established Monaghan's Barbershop in 2016. With a focus on quality craftsmanship, Sam has created an authentic, laid-back environment where customers can come to relax. Monaghan's team of barbers has grown significantly and is recognised within the community as a premier service provider. For drop-in customers, watching barber chair transformations take place as they wait is an entertaining part of the experience!

Wen Xiong

Storyteller

Wen says she is...Trying to be a magical teacher, trying to be a magical storyteller, and trying to be a good person. As her devoted following of enchanted, mesmerised children and parents shows - she is succeeding at all three.

Marty and Marilyn Vreede

Pakohe Whanganui Ltd

Marilyn and Marty Vreede not only make and offer harakeke (flax) papermaking courses, they also design and manufacture Māori educational resources. These exceptional resources are used in early childhood education, including kohanga reo, right through to wānanga (tertiary). Marty and Marilyn love to share their knowledge and welcome visitors to learn alongside them.

Liberty Bracegirdle

Retail Owner

Recycle the Label is a boutique with a difference - perfectly mixing sustainability and goodwill. This retail outlet sells high-quality secondhand clothing and donates unsold items and a portion of its profits to Women's Refuge. Liberty was inspired to open her store after volunteering at a pop-up clothing shop at Women's Refuge. Recycle the Label's customers support sustainable fashion and love shopping in a way that benefits their community, while they grab a gorgeous bargain.

Frances Stachl

Jeweller

Frances Stachl is a contemporary jeweller with a devoted following nationally and internationally. In her treasure-filled workshop, Frances produces her craft-based one-of-a-kind pieces that she has said are in many ways like “changelings”. Frances' jewellery pieces become treasures for their owners and each has its own unique story.

Natalie Bradburn

Business owner, designer

Natalie Bradburn says her business, CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN, is a research project that thinks about the bathroom and everything in it. It’s about dirt, slime and dust as much as it’s about space, form and colour. It’s an architectural inquiry into the most complex room in the house, explored through text, object making and spatial settings.

Establish yourself in Whanganui and make your passion your work too...

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