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.
'Significant risk': Mayor defends closure of homeless camping ground
Whanganui District Council evicts homeless, aims for long-term housing solutions.
‘World first’: Council moves toward landmark iwi partnership
Negotiations are expected to be finalised in early 2025.
Iwi kickstarts whānau housing dream
Ngāti Rangi has completed its first small-scale affordable rental development in Ohakune.
Ngāti Rangi appoints new tribal rūnanga chair
Troy Brown will take on the role in December when Whetu Moataane stands down.
CEO resigns from large farming business
Andrew Beijeman is moving on after 10 years with Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation.
Historic election ahead as iwi form new governance board
Three central North Island iwi are preparing to elect their first board of trustees.
New numbers for biggest iwi in Whanganui-Manawatū
The Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi population increased by 44.2% between 2013 and 2023.
Sculptures to tell iwi history on Forgotten World Highway
Five works will bring focus to the cultural significance and tūpuna history of the area.
Whanganui, Taranaki diplomat appointed High Commissioner to Malaysia
Career diplomat Michael Walsh joined MFAT in 1993.
Clam warning: 'If it gets here, it's too late'
Whanganui River iwi are working with other organisations against an invasive clam.
‘Incredible opportunity’ to improve region’s Māori health
'This is a critical step in our journey.'
‘It’s a worry’: Council fears Raetihi community hub roadblock
A Government directive to councils to deliver the basics has cast a shadow over plans.
Ruapehu council slams poll law, seeks further advice
The council voted unanimously to keep the Māori ward.
Whanganui council stands firm on Māori ward
'We’re saying we don’t want to send it to a referendum.'
Poll law 'racist': Horizons votes to keep Māori seats
Horizons Regional Council has affirmed its two Māori constituencies for the 2025 election.
‘Keep the lights on’: Community rallies over mills threat
'I believe this can be fixed – there needs to be an intervention.'
Mayors 'cautiously optimistic' about keeping mills from closing
The Government has invited the mayors to work with WPI on possible solutions.
‘We pulled out all the stops’: Rampant power costs crush hope for Ruapehu mills
Chief executive Mike Ryan said rapidly increasing energy prices were unsustainable.
‘Bombshell’: Devastation as mills announce permanent closure
Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says he is deeply concerned for local communities.
Minister rejects call for exemption over Māori ward poll
Ruapehu and South Taranaki district councils will now be required to hold referendums.
‘Don’t be scared, mate’: Councillors defend Māori ward
Councillors are talking with the community about the future of Ruapehu's Māori ward.
‘Backward move’: Councillor slams mandate to undo Māori wards
Fiona Kahukura Hadley-Chase says it is an attempt to 'diminish Māori representation'.
'No cash, no housing’: Council calls on Government to act
Ruapehu District Council says it is bowing out from financing housing developments.
Mayor eyes city spaces for future housing
A rise in land valuations has opened the door to intensifying infill housing.
Water funding remains problem for councils
A rural mayor says there’s no incentive for councils to band together in new entities.
Council calls public meetings on future of Māori ward
Ruapehu District Council will have meetings in Ohakune and Taumarunui.
'The community had its say'
Ruapehu District Council wants an exemption from new legislation on Māori wards.
Council resists call to reverse Māori ward decision
Whanganui District Council says it's a pushback against Government moves.
Lodge owner praised for spotting guests’ invasive clam collection
An Ōwhango business owner found a collection of freshwater gold clams left by guests.
‘Too painful’: We could have done better on lowering rates – councillor
One councillor called it 'totally unpalatable'.
‘A strong focus on Māori for the first time in my career’: How Māori health providers are moving forward
Māori health providers are in 'a state of abeyance'.
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
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
'We have previously decided that these are the best representation arrangements ...'
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
It could be the biggest build the Waimarino township has seen.
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
Te Korowai o Wainuiārua wants National Park Village to be named Waimarino.
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’
Whanganui District Mayor Andrew Tripe says decisions 'should be made at council level'.
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
A further 489 submissions have been made on changing the railway station name.
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
"To be uninterrupted made it a different and very special experience."
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
The speaker is being investigated by the government department he works for.
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
Iwi leaders will meet at Tūrangawaewae Marae this weekend.
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
The statue will be moved somewhere else.
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
Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board supports the proposal.
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
Whanganui District Council says it 'jumped the gun' by initially not consulting iwi.
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’
A three-month public consultation on the name change proposal will open on Tuesday.
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
Construction has begun on the missing connection between National Park and Horopito.
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
The strategy will reform resource management in the catchment.
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
The launch is at Pūtiki Marae on Friday morning.
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
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'
'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
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
But contentious or difficult matters may still be spoken about behind closed doors.
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
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
Iwi want to use the river without interruption from jetboats.
Wraparound community wellbeing services planned
Information has been released about Te Puna Hapori, a new wellbeing hub.
Whanganui River tribes celebrate 28th Pākaitore Day
The 28th Pākaitore Day will be celebrated on February 28.
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
A delegation is travelling to crisis talks about the Colorado River.
‘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'
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
Shareholders were told the business was 'definitely' affected by climate change