Anyone who enjoys the sights and sounds of steamboats chuffing on the Whanganui River is in for a treat this weekend as a fleet of small vessels converge for a regatta.
Local steam enthusiast Steve McClune has taken his boat Mary Rose, a 5.2m kauri launch built in 1946, to regattas in other North Island locations and is thrilled to be welcoming other steamboat owners to Whanganui for this year's event, from February 27 to March 1.
"The regatta was started by members of the Auckland Steam Engine Club and they have traditionally been held up north," McClune said.
"This year, I persuaded them to hold it here because we have a beautiful river and a fantastic city to host everyone."
McClune said Whanganui's John Munro hoped to have his own little steamboat ready for the regatta as well.