American Kate Porsche reckons she's had the ultimate Kiwi experience while in Wanganui.
"I've experienced a big earthquake and I've eaten a potato-topped pie. it doesn't get more Kiwi than that."
Mrs Porsche, from Albany, Oregon, is in Wanganui on a local government exchange programme sponsored by the US State Department.
Mrs Porsche is the City of Albany's economic development director and she is working with Wanganui District Council staff. She had met policy and corporate planning manager, Stephanie Rose, when Ms Rose visited Albany on a Local Government New Zealand exchange in April.
"I've met with the council's water engineers because we are doing a stormwater project, so I wanted to talk to them about that. And I've met with some of the councillors and senior council staff, which has been great," Mrs Porsche said.