• New Zealand Regions
      • Hawke's Bay
      • Bay of Plenty
      • Waikato
      • Whanganui
      • Manawatu
      • Northland
      • Auckland
      • Gisborne
      • Taranaki
      • Wellington
      • West Coast
      • Nelson
      • Canterbury
      • Otago
      • Marlborough
      • Southland
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      Hawke's Bay

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      Beaches, wineries and Art Deco. The Hawke's Bay has a diverse economy, including business services that support its sectors to be the second largest contributor to regional GDP in the country. A popular tourist destination, the region has some of the countries best restaurants as well as stunning scenery, markets and festivals.

      Districts

      HastingsNapier

      Bay of Plenty

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      The Bay of Plenty is officially New Zealand's sunniest destination, enjoying short-lived winters and long summer days. The Region offers some of the country's most spectacular views and many ways to enjoy the pristine scenery and natural wonders. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Bay's Māori heritage and pre-European roots.

      Districts

      OpotikiOpotiki iSiteKawerauWhakatane

      Waikato

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      The Waikato is known for its rolling plains, fertile land and the mighty Waikato River. The region is the fourth largest regional economy in New Zealand, with a strong focus on primary production and associated manufacturing.

      Districts

      South WaikatoWaikato District

      Whanganui

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      Welcome to Whanganui. This is our place; where history is full of stories, legends and rich legacy. Where a thriving arts scene, creativity and evolving culture inspire our modern lives. Where breath-taking natural landscapes capture imaginations at every turn.

      Manawatu

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      Located in the lower North Island, Manawatu is heartland New Zealand, offering an authentic Kiwi experience.

      The main in the region are Palmerston North, most notable for Massey University. Palmerston has a vibrant, arts and culture scene.

      The region's economy is based on food production and processing, research and education. The region is also home for the New Zealand defence force.

      Northland

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      Northland was originally home to some of our country's first human inhabitants. Today, it is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand and home to nearly 189,000 people. Rich in culture and history, the region boasts a stunning natural environment.

      Auckland

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      Auckland Region stretches from the the beaches of the Pacific Ocean in the east to the expansive beaches of the rugged west coast of the Tasman Sea. Auckland City, the largest urban area in New Zealand is considered the main economic center of New Zealand and a popular destination for international students and travellers.

      Gisborne

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      Gisborne is a Region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's known for wineries and surf beaches such as Makorori. The region has maintained a strong Maori heritage. The region's economy is made up mainly of agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

      Taranaki

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      Taranaki is a coastal and mountainous region on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki, its namesake volcano, which lies within the rainforested Egmont National Park.

      The port city of New Plymouth is the area's cultural and commercial hub. Taranaki's economy is diverse and includes dairy, oil and gas. The region is the highest contributor or national GDP per capita. 

      Wellington

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      The Wellington Region covers Wellington city in the south, Upper and Lower Hutt valleys to the north-east, and Porirua to the north-west. The region takes its name from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.

      Wellington is famous for its arts and culture scene and is also the centre of New Zealand's film industry.

      West Coast

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      The West Coast, or as some locals call it, the "Wild West", is a long thin region that runs down the South Island's west coast.

      The region has the lowest population in all of New Zealand. It is famous for its rugged natural scenery such as the Pancake Rocks, the Blue Pools of Haast, and the glaciers.

      The main industries in the region are dairy farming and mining. Tourism also plays an important role.

      Nelson – Tasman

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      Nelson Tasman is an extraordinary, vibrant region where art and businesses thrive together among a stunning natural landscape. With one in five people internationally born, Nelson Tasman has 48 different cultures living in its environs.

      The region prides its self on being New Zealand’s leading Research and Development areas, with the highest proportion of people working in the research, science and tech sectors out of anywhere in New Zealand.

      Canterbury

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      Canterbury is a region on New Zealand’s South Island marked by grassy plains, clear lakes and snow-capped mountains. Its largest city, Christchurch, is famed for its art scene and green spaces.

      Otago

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      There are few places in the world which will leave you with a lasting sense of difference. Central Otago is undoubtedly one of them from its landscapes, its seasons, its people, its products and experiences.

      Marlborough

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      Marlborough Region is on the north-eastern corner of the South Island. The region is well known for its winemaking industry, and the Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of coastal waterways, peninsulas and islands.

      Apart from the wine industry, aquaculture, agriculture and tourism play an important role in the local economy.

      Southland

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      Southland is New Zealand’s most southerly region and includes the World Heritage ranked Fiordland National Park.

      The region's only city Invercargill offers a relaxed pace of life with wide streets, little traffic, spacious parks and gardens, striking Victorian and Edwardian architecture and impressive sporting facilities including New Zealand’s first indoor velodrome. Southland's location is such that views of Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights are common.

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Whanganui – Top 10 Activities

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Top 10 Activities

Whanganui is one-of-a-kind. Check out these things you can only do and see in Whanganui.

 

Ride the Durie Hill Elevator

We are the proud home of the Southern Hemisphere’s only in-ground public transport elevator. The Durie Hill Elevator was built 1919 to help the residents of the hilltop Durie Hill suburb commute into town. The view from the top is fantastic – as is the long, 213-metre tunnel you take to reach the elevator (definitely a highlight for photographers).

View of Whanganui from the Durie Hill elevator lookout

 

Visit St Paul’s Anglican Memorial Church at Putiki

Filled with beautiful and intricate Māori carvings and tukutuku weaving a tale of the people and the land of this area, St Paul’s Anglican Memorial Church is one of the most intricately and beautifully decorated churches in Aotearoa.

St Paul’s Memorial Church site itself dates back to 1842, and several buildings have been constructed on this site over the years. See the building and hear the story from local guides steeped in the knowledge of this historic treasure. St Paul’s tours cost $10 and can be booked through the Whanganui i-SITE Visitor Centre.

 

Drive or cycle the River Road

This intimate and scenic 64-kilometre road leads to the Whanganui National Park and enables travelers to visit small river communities and experience a pace of life that is unique in contrast to much of the rest of the country.

You can read the Whanganui River Road Guide here.

 

Catch a gig at the Opera House

The Royal Wanganui Opera House is New Zealand’s last Victorian theatre, elegantly standing at over 115 years old and still hosting all kinds of local and touring acts. Check out what’s on and add a show to your itinerary.

You can visit the Royal Wanganui Opera House Facebook page here.

 

Shop the Whanganui River Markets

These weekly Saturday markets are located on the historic site of early Māori trading.

The Whanganui River is the backdrop to stalls providing an array of local food producers in the Farmers Market section, alongside an eclectic mix of collectors of vintage and retro, makers of art and traditional crafts, plants, and delicious street food in the River Traders area. Open every Saturday at 8.30am -1.00pm, Taupō Quay.

Or visit the Whanganui RiverMarkets Facebook page.

Whanganui River Markets

Wander through Paloma Gardens

A garden like you’ve never seen. Explore the exotic Paloma Gardens, landscaped with plants from all over the world, from the jungles of Asia to the deserts of Africa and the Americas. Paloma Gardens has been awarded “Garden of National Significance” by the New Zealand Gardens Trust for the past thirteen years.

The garden is presented as several distinct zones, including the Palm Garden, the Desert House, the Garden of Death, the Bamboo Forests, the Jardin Exotique, the Wedding Lawn and the two Arboreta – unique among the Gardens In Whanganui.

You can visit the Paloma Gardens website here.

Or have a look at Paloma Gardens Facebook page.

 

Quartz Museum of Studio Ceramics

As the only dedicated ceramics museum in New Zealand, Quartz Museum is worth checking out. The New Zealand History Collection consists of almost 100 pieces illustrating the development of studio ceramics from the early 20th century to the present day. The Museum was established to house the Rick Rudd Collection of more than 400 ceramic works. Works are also borrowed from private collections for themed and special exhibitions and each year ceramic installation is commissioned.

You can find out more on the Quartz Museum of Studio Ceramics website.

 

Ride the Paddle Steamer Waimarie

The Paddle Steamer Waimarie was salvaged from the bottom of the Whanganui River, where it sat for around 50 years, and restored to its former glory and re-launched in 2000 to make it New Zealand’s last steam-powered and coal-fired passenger paddle steamer operating from the golden riverboat era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Waimarie cruises upriver from October to May.

You can visit the Paddle Steamer Waimarie website here.

Or got to the Paddle Steamer Waimarie Facebook page.

Paddle Steamer Waimarie

Cruise on the Motor Vessel Wairua

Built by Yarrow & company of London in early 1904 and sent out to Whanganui for A. Hatrick & company in a kit-set form, this beautifull vessel has a proud history.

In 1987, a group of local men spent 19 years restoring Wairua to its 1913 condition and the vessel has been a welcome sight on the river since 2006. Take a day trip to Hipango Park or cruise up to Upokongaro, this special journey can’t be beaten.

You can find out more here

Or like the Motor Vessel Wairua’s Facebook page

 

Explore the Whanganui Regional Museum

Set in the heart of the Whanganui cultural centre on Queens Park, the Whanganui Regional Museum offers visitors a rare experience-a journey into the hearts and minds of the people of Whanganui, and a look at their treasures, their loves, their everyday lives and their dramas, their history and their future.

When the ordinary is exchanged for the extraordinary, you know you’re in Whanganui. Famed for its Taonga Māori Collection, you can see the exceptional creations of the tūpuna (ancestors) of today’s Whanganui River Māori.

You can find out more on the Whanganui Regional Museum website.

Or on the Whanganui Regional Museum Facebook page.

Whanganui Regional Museum

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