Dockside Social: Whanganui’s new event series highlights the riverside and collaboration

New event series, Dockside Social by Co-Lab, aims to highlight local businesses and the Whanganui riverside. Photo / Olivia Reid

A new event is hitting the Whanganui riverside for summer, highlighting businesses and making the most of the longer evenings.

The Dockside Social has been created by Co-Lab, a collection of Whanganui businesses, including Vaughan Campbell of Good Bones Distillery, Nikki Oesterle and Adrian Rumney of Papaiti Gin, Charlie Meyerhoff of Pique Bars and Andrew Henshaw of Roots Brewing.

“The Whanganui Co-Lab’s aim is to bring businesses together to create outstanding hospo experiences in Whanganui,” Oesterle, who is also Mainstreet Whanganui chairwoman, said.

The Co-Lab had been in the works for some time, but Oesterle realised how well the idea functioned, and was received, at the reopening of the Sarjeant Gallery on November 9.

Outside the core group, Co-Lab also works with a variety of food truck owners and caterers.

“Jen Britton, manager of the Waimarie Operating Trust, was immediately on board and loved the idea — she’s been hugely supportive in making this happen and negotiated with the [Whanganui District Council] parks department to get the licence across the line,” Oesterle said.

“We have Big Moose and Bowls, Bites and Brews supporting the event series with their absolutely delicious menus, and Joa’s Wines joined us, too, which means we can also cater to folks who are after an exquisite wine rather than cocktails or beer.”

One of the primary inspirations for the new event was the Whanganui River.

“We’re keen to offer an event that includes the river and views of the river since it really is Whanganui’s key feature,” Oesterle said.

“The green spaces along the riverbank are the perfect location to relax and enjoy a high-quality beverage after a long work week.”

This was the first of what Oesterle hoped would be a series of events.

“We’re hoping this is going to be a fixture in Whanganui’s summer events calendar, complementing bigger events such as the Vintage Weekend, Masters Games and Artists Open Studios."

The Dockside Social by Whanganui Co-Lab will be in and around the Riverboat Centre on Fridays from 4.30pm to 8.30pm, from January 17 to March 28, rain or shine.

Olivia Reid is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.