Welcome
Positioned in the heart of the North Island, the Whanganui District is rich in history, culture and natural resources.
With a population big enough to support ground-breaking ambitions and small enough for authentic connection, Whanganui is a slice of paradise where businesses grow revenue and neighbours grow close. Come by and discover Whanganui for yourself. Our hospitality, like our river, is legendary: we look forward to welcoming you.
44.5K
Our population
18
Direct flights to Auckland per week
2,373 km₂
The size of our district
290 km
The length of the Whanganui River
Come Visit Us
Visiting Whanganui means taking a step back in time, whether you’re riding a restored paddle steamer or admiring the backdrop of heritage architecture of our town centre.
It also means exploring cutting edge creations at our galleries and museums, including New Zealand’s only community glassworks centre.
Our Lifestyle
Whether you want to adventure outdoors, browse a new art exhibition or take the kids out for a fun-filled afternoon, living in Whanganui has something for everyone to enjoy.
Thanks to our low cost of living and short commutes, we have the time and resources to enjoy everything our region has to offer.
Make more of your income
Paying off a median-priced house will leave an average Whanganui household with 78% of their income every month. That’s a lot more savings than families are seeing in other parts of the country.
Figures are based on MBIE’s median household income and REINZ’s median house prices (Oct 2018), a 20% deposit and 5.8% interest rate for a 30 year mortgage.
- WHANGANUI 78%
- AUCKLAND 46%
- WELLINGTON 64%
THERE ARE BIG
OPPORTUNITIES
OUTSIDE
THE BIG CITIES
700+
New Residents in 2017
202
International migrants in 2017
3,400
Businesses with five or fewer employees
54
Businesses with over 50 employees
Doing Business
A central location, healthy economy, developed infrastructure and low operating costs make Whanganui a destination of choice for businesses large and small.
Basing your business here also means benefiting from the support and partnership opportunities of our high-achieving business community.
- WHANGANUI 44.4%
- NEW ZEALAND 37.7%
44.4% of Whanganui’s workforce has a tertiary qualification, higher than the national average.
Education
Whanganui’s education providers are dedicated to giving students the best start to their future. Our secondary and tertiary institutions offer innovative programmes with a focus on pathways to employment.
Life in Whanganui also offers opportunities in sport, arts and leadership, and a tight-knit community makes for the perfect backdrop to any student experience.
Conferences
Our accessible location, low cost per delegate and versatile heritage venues make Whanganui a top choice for conferences and business events.
Guests always enjoy the warm welcome they receive and enjoy the unique experiences Whanganui has to offer. Our compact CBD (a nine-minute drive from the airport) allows delegates to work, stay and play hassle-free.
Regions Around Whanganui
Centrally located in the North Island of New Zealand, Whanganui is within a three-hour drive of Taupo, Tongariro National Park and Wellington (capital city), and is a one-hour direct flight from Auckland.
Taranaki
Taranaki is a coastal and mountainous region on the western side of New Zealand’s North Island. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki.
Manawatu
The Manawatu District is a local government district in the Manawatu-Wanganui Region in the North Island of New Zealand.
Wellington
Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, sits near the North Island’s southernmost point on the Cook Strait.
Ruapehu
Ruapehu is home to two national parks, full to the brim with beautiful, natural scenery ready to explore.
FLIGHTS TO WHANGANUI
The Whanganui Airport offers quick and easy daily flights to Auckland with Air Chathams
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