New Zealand's UNESCO City of Design
In 2021, Whanganui was announced as New Zealand’s only UNESCO City of Design, one of 49 such cities worldwide, in recognition of our exceptional creativity, innovative spirit, cultural integrity and strength of artistic tradition.
Whanganui’s City of Design status is not only a recognition of our creative heritage, it also reflects the unique significance of our indigenous cultural identity and the direction our city is taking.
Just like our river, which sustains and shapes us, design shapes our contemporary city.
