Moana is a Local Democracy Reporter based in Whanganui
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
![Whitebait restoration site hits snag](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whitebait restoration site hits snag
An old dump site was discovered on the Whanganui River's edge in Aramoho.
![‘Vile backlash’: Marae hails tough decision to fund upgrades](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘Vile backlash’: Marae hails tough decision to fund upgrades
The district’s nearly 20 marae will be able to apply for marae development grants.
![‘More harm than good’: Call for rethink on Māori wards](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘More harm than good’: Call for rethink on Māori wards
'We have previously decided that these are the best representation arrangements ...'
![Ruapehu civil defence controller calls for more resources](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Ruapehu civil defence controller calls for more resources
'Communities are the first level of response during emergencies'
![Iwi and council identify preferred site for Raetihi hub](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Iwi and council identify preferred site for Raetihi hub
It could be the biggest build the Waimarino township has seen.
![New school lunch model could cut out kaupapa Māori suppliers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
New school lunch model could cut out kaupapa Māori suppliers
Whanganui contractor says revamp could disadvantage smaller-scale food businesses.
![Minister to decide on village name change proposal](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Minister to decide on village name change proposal
Te Korowai o Wainuiārua wants National Park Village to be named Waimarino.
![Whanganui eyes $16m in asset sales to offset rates](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whanganui eyes $16m in asset sales to offset rates
Land, buildings, and reserves could go on the market.
![Māori ward referendums: ‘A slap in the face of Māoridom’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Māori ward referendums: ‘A slap in the face of Māoridom’
Whanganui District Mayor Andrew Tripe says decisions 'should be made at council level'.
![Port seeks long-term consent to dredge basin](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Port seeks long-term consent to dredge basin
It would return the depth of the port basin to historical levels.
![Waimarino name proposal attracts more than 2500 submissions](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Waimarino name proposal attracts more than 2500 submissions
A further 489 submissions have been made on changing the railway station name.
![Whanganui mayor reflects on iwi relations since occupation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whanganui mayor reflects on iwi relations since occupation
'I’m here to celebrate what [the protesters] did. That’s the difference.'
!['A very special experience' as iwi close parts of Whanganui River](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'A very special experience' as iwi close parts of Whanganui River
"To be uninterrupted made it a different and very special experience."
![Century-long saga: The six moves to change this village’s name](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Century-long saga: The six moves to change this village’s name
The names National Park and Waimarino have been pondered multiple times.
![Government department adviser in firing line for ‘potential conflict of interest’ as Rātana speaker](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Government department adviser in firing line for ‘potential conflict of interest’ as Rātana speaker
The speaker is being investigated by the government department he works for.
![Huge turnout for Hui-ā-Motu 'no surprise'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Huge turnout for Hui-ā-Motu 'no surprise'
Whanganui iwi travelled to Tūrangawaewae just “to be there”.
![Mass protests ‘just the beginning’ as iwi prepare for unified response](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Mass protests ‘just the beginning’ as iwi prepare for unified response
Iwi leaders will meet at Tūrangawaewae Marae this weekend.
![Submissions quadruple on bid to rename National Park village as Waimarino](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Submissions quadruple on bid to rename National Park village as Waimarino
Iwi calling for the North Island tourist village to revert to its historical name.
![The challenges of relocating ‘offensive’ monument](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
The challenges of relocating ‘offensive’ monument
The statue will be moved somewhere else.
![River leaders take new strategy to the people](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
River leaders take new strategy to the people
It aims to establish strategy as the foundation for resource management in the catchment.
![Proposal to change name of village draws public submissions](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Proposal to change name of village draws public submissions
Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board supports the proposal.
![How council adopts ‘values-based approach’ in work with Māori](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
How council adopts ‘values-based approach’ in work with Māori
Part of the $6m spend is for the council to work with iwi and hapū on a new vision.
![Iwi and council partner up to spend ‘better-off’ funding](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Iwi and council partner up to spend ‘better-off’ funding
Whanganui District Council says it 'jumped the gun' by initially not consulting iwi.
![Consultation opens on National Park name change](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Consultation opens on National Park name change
There's also a proposal to change the name of National Park's railway station.
![Support for National Park to restore ‘most beautiful name’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Support for National Park to restore ‘most beautiful name’
A three-month public consultation on the name change proposal will open on Tuesday.
![Whanganui council edges closer to Māori wards decision](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whanganui council edges closer to Māori wards decision
Councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay on how the debate is stacking up.
![Longest suspension bridge to be ‘missing link’ of Mountains to Sea trail](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Longest suspension bridge to be ‘missing link’ of Mountains to Sea trail
Construction has begun on the missing connection between National Park and Horopito.
![How will Whanganui Hospital cope with its growing population?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
How will Whanganui Hospital cope with its growing population?
What changes will be needed to keep pace with the district’s projected population growth?
![Health, wellbeing strategy unveiled for Whanganui River](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Health, wellbeing strategy unveiled for Whanganui River
The strategy will reform resource management in the catchment.
![New strategy to be unveiled for Whanganui River](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
New strategy to be unveiled for Whanganui River
Decision-makers will be required to pay particular regard to the new strategy.
![Strategy for wellbeing of Whanganui River to be unveiled](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Strategy for wellbeing of Whanganui River to be unveiled
The launch is at Pūtiki Marae on Friday morning.
![Whanganui meeting calls for Māori wards and constitutional change](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whanganui meeting calls for Māori wards and constitutional change
Andrew Tripe: Local government needs reform. But we do not have the answers to everything.
![Whanganui mayor's new karakia opens council hui](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whanganui mayor's new karakia opens council hui
Mayor Andrew Tripe says it's the council’s way of acknowledging all the community.
![Treaty of Waitangi settlement 'just crumbs off the table. But the healing has to start'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Treaty of Waitangi settlement 'just crumbs off the table. But the healing has to start'
'This piece of justice will re-energise and boost all the peoples in this area.'
![$30m and apology for iwi who paid the price for the nation's development](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
$30m and apology for iwi who paid the price for the nation's development
The tribes' areas of interest include the middle reaches of the Whanganui River.
![Why Whanganui council is opening up some discussion to the public domain](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Why Whanganui council is opening up some discussion to the public domain
But contentious or difficult matters may still be spoken about behind closed doors.
![Central North Island tribes back $30m Treaty settlement](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Central North Island tribes back $30m Treaty settlement
Tamahaki, Tamakana and Uenuku will formally sign the Deed of Settlement on July 29.
![Looted taonga to return to Whanganui River](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Looted taonga to return to Whanganui River
Te Kōanga o Rehua will arrive on Wednesday after a nearly 50-year battle for its return.
![Iwi set to reserve parts of Whanganui River for annual tribal journey](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Iwi set to reserve parts of Whanganui River for annual tribal journey
Iwi want to use the river without interruption from jetboats.
![Wraparound community wellbeing services planned](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Wraparound community wellbeing services planned
Information has been released about Te Puna Hapori, a new wellbeing hub.
![Whanganui River tribes celebrate 28th Pākaitore Day](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whanganui River tribes celebrate 28th Pākaitore Day
The 28th Pākaitore Day will be celebrated on February 28.
![Whanganui council setting up camp for homeless](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whanganui council setting up camp for homeless
The facility is an effort to move homeless people from freedom camping sites.
![Whanganui River Māori support North American Indigenous leaders](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whanganui River Māori support North American Indigenous leaders
A delegation is travelling to crisis talks about the Colorado River.
![‘Facing a crisis’: Tourist town can’t wait three years for upgrade](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘Facing a crisis’: Tourist town can’t wait three years for upgrade
"Our tourism industry is on thin ice."
![Pākaraka: 'We should all move on'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Pākaraka: 'We should all move on'
New signs will be installed after the first ones were bowled in less than eight hours.
![Māori agribusiness sets target to cut emissions by 10pc](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Māori agribusiness sets target to cut emissions by 10pc
Shareholders were told the business was 'definitely' affected by climate change
![Ātihau-Whanganui reports first apiary business loss as honey markets slump](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Ātihau-Whanganui reports first apiary business loss as honey markets slump
As economies responded to Covid-19, there was good demand for Ātihau products.
!['Surely this is madness': Uproar at hui over water bottling consent](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Surely this is madness': Uproar at hui over water bottling consent
There was uproar at a community hui on a water bottling consent granted in Whanganui.
![New MP's swearing-in will make political history](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
New MP's swearing-in will make political history
Soraya Peke-Mason will be sworn in by the Speaker, her cousin Adrian Rurawhe.
![New research explores impact of Covid response on Māori](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
New research explores impact of Covid response on Māori
Research by Te Atawhai o Te Ao aims to improve future pandemic responses.
![Mixed support for Māori wards from mayoral hopefuls](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Mixed support for Māori wards from mayoral hopefuls
Just over half of New Zealand councils are introducing Māori wards in October.
![Whanganui council seeks explicit Awa Tupua recognition in water reform bill](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whanganui council seeks explicit Awa Tupua recognition in water reform bill
Council was concerned water governance was too convoluted and inefficient
!['It really did lift my heart': Minister moved by Māori mental health efforts](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'It really did lift my heart': Minister moved by Māori mental health efforts
The Minister said the stories he heard were powerful.
![First wāhine Māori stands for Ruapehu mayoralty](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
First wāhine Māori stands for Ruapehu mayoralty
Fiona Kahukura Hadley-Chase campaigned for equity in Māori representation at the Council.
![Major new exhibition partners with tribal river entity](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Major new exhibition partners with tribal river entity
He Awa Ora – Living River opens on Monday, June 27.
![Rēwena bread rises to world stage](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rēwena bread rises to world stage
Whanganui's George Jackson uses his Nan's camp oven to bake the traditional bread.
!['A real honour': Māori MP tipped for top constitutional role](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'A real honour': Māori MP tipped for top constitutional role
Between 1993 and 1996 Sir Peter Tapsell was the first Māori to hold the role
![New MP upholds Rātana political tradition](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
New MP upholds Rātana political tradition
Soraya Peke-Mason will enter Parliament in about two months as a list MP.
![Any-time roll change for Māori voters 'huge' improvement, says councillor](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Any-time roll change for Māori voters 'huge' improvement, says councillor
Elijah Pue says the move will help remove barriers to voting
![Whanganui institute leads study of Māori brain health](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whanganui institute leads study of Māori brain health
Te Atawhai o te Ao is working with the Ageing Well National Science Challenge
![Māori health advocate to lead global body](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Māori health advocate to lead global body
Emma Rawson-Te Patu elected to the World Federation of Public Health Associations.
![Whanganui River iwi hit back at Horizons councillor's claims](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Whanganui River iwi hit back at Horizons councillor's claims
'There is global interest in Te Awa Tupua and what iwi are trying to achieve in Whanganui'
![NSW politician seeks help from iwi to protect Australian rivers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
NSW politician seeks help from iwi to protect Australian rivers
NSW parliamentarian Mark Pearson wants similar status for the Barwon and Darling rivers
![Gerrard Albert: Why Whanganui River tribes have moved beyond co-governance to a new model for better democracy](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Gerrard Albert: Why Whanganui River tribes have moved beyond co-governance to a new model for better democracy
Tribal leader dismisses calls for a referendum on co-governance
!['Game-changer' for pilot school as new intake arrives](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Game-changer' for pilot school as new intake arrives
The academy is made up of 70 per cent international students.
![Commission backs 14-seat council, including two for Maori](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Commission backs 14-seat council, including two for Maori
Horizons will have a 14-seat council, including two Māori seats, in the 2022 election.
![Ruapehu council divided on pokies policy](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Ruapehu council divided on pokies policy
Mayor Don Cameron had to use his casting vote in the split decision.
![Museum brings in succession plan](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Museum brings in succession plan
A new role will allow someone to learn about curation of the taonga Māori collection.
![Covid-19: Virus spreads into central and western parts of North Island](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Covid-19: Virus spreads into central and western parts of North Island
The two new cases in Marton are the first reported since Saturday.
!['Final wall of resistance': Māori vaccination rollout stalls](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Final wall of resistance': Māori vaccination rollout stalls
The rollout was now slowing significantly with fewer first and second doses reported.
![PGF-funded marae upgrade project nears completion](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
PGF-funded marae upgrade project nears completion
A $16 million marae renovation programme is drawing to a close.
!['Hands off our tamariki': Iwi vaccinators egged as anti-vaxxers force caution in jab rollout](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Hands off our tamariki': Iwi vaccinators egged as anti-vaxxers force caution in jab rollout
Health providers are holding back on vaccinations for children in wider Whanganui region.
![Ātihau-Whanganui farming incorporation appoints new leaders](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Ātihau-Whanganui farming incorporation appoints new leaders
Te Tiwha Puketapu has been appointed as the new chair and Che Wilson as deputy
![Iwi eye back-country stations in bid to lift Māori jab rate](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Iwi eye back-country stations in bid to lift Māori jab rate
Some parts of rural Rangitīkei have been flagged as areas of concern.
![Iwi seeks storage for food and supplies to fill 'gaps in the system'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Iwi seeks storage for food and supplies to fill 'gaps in the system'
'Our people are on the back foot in regard to economic wellbeing'