Whanganui District Council

The Whanganui District Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of 12 councillors and the mayor. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Whanganui District Council election.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change poses a huge challenge for communities as more frequent extreme weather events require us to rethink how we live and where. Local authorities are at the forefront of efforts to respond, with responsibilities for environmental planning and regulation, as well as civil defence. Many councils have plans to reduce emissions in their area and are working to help their communities adapt to a warming world.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change poses a huge challenge for communities as more frequent extreme weather events require us to rethink how we live and where. Local authorities are at the forefront of efforts to respond, with responsibilities for environmental planning and regulation, as well as civil defence. Many councils have plans to reduce emissions in their area and are working to help their communities adapt to a warming world.

  • Adopt a pragmatic approach that identifies meaningful actions that the council can adopt to reduce its carbon emissions.

    Set a target for emission reduction in the district and work with the community to implement an action plan to achieve the target.

    Review the Council Climate Change Strategy to focus on actions rather than rhetoric.

  • Staunchly support Whanganui District Council's action plan that has been developed from the council climate change strategy. Role model the change we need.

    Resource community initiatives through the Climate Action Fund that will educate and encourage community led initiatives.

    Support the bus spine project launching in 2023. Work to date is good but we need to stay on the case to achieve a transport mode shift.

  • Don't agree. Fact is by trying to reduce emissions in Whanganui and NZ the result will be zero effect on overall emissions.

    Yes, we must adapt to climate change, but not to over react and at huge ratepayers cost.

    Agree. To have ongoing and increased civil defence education on all contingencies including earthquake and volcanic.

  • Commit to building a functional multi modal public transport network that is efficient and accessible.

    Expand support for earthquake strengthening of inner city heritage buildings to safeguard our heritage and create more housing and vibrancy.

  • Commit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions based on European standards. Also reduce SO2 emissions from diesel engines on land and at sea.

    Commit to future proof flood protection in Whanganui.

    Make Civil Defence a professional organisation that can respond to flooding, earthquakes, major slips etc, together with the defence forces.

  • Implement and monitor the Whanganui District Council Te Rautaki Huringa Āhuarangi/Climate Change Strategy with a governance group established to achieve this.

    Work with Horizons Regional Council, district stakeholders, affected residents, and government agencies to reduce and respond to flooding/subsidence risks.

    Allocate council resourcing to new opportunities that enable us to meet climate targets. Addressing climate change is core council business.

  • Establish a district-wide parakore system (Māori recycling system) that reduces Whanganui district's rubbish and waste.

    Provide communities within Whanganui district with civil defence community resources in case of natural disasters and roadblocks etc.

    Establish council grants to ensure every house in Whanganui district has a heat pump.

  • Review targets ensuring they are feasible in the climate change policy. Educate people on personal responsibility and commit to this.

    Support those who are contributing the most to carbon emissions. Facilitate/help them to form a plan.

    Adequately plan for future events due to climate change to ensure a robust action plan is in place.

  • Support strategies to encourage commercial and heritage buildings to be earthquake strengthened plus lobbying government for more funding.

    Lobby NZTA for State Highway 4 Parapara Road section to be made more erosion resilient. This is a vital route and link to our farming community.

    Support continual infrastructure improvements to reduce flood risk, especially in low-lying residential and commercial areas.

  • Reach a consensus of when council can be carbon neutral and then strategise for it to happen. My pick is 2025.

    Work with other agencies such as Horizons Regional Council and insurance companies to manage retreat from flood prone areas.

    Introduce a comprehensive recycling system that meets the present needs.

  • Implement our climate change strategy to encourage reduced emissions and lead by example in our community.

    Adapt future plans to ensure we account for implications of changes in climate, weather systems and rainfall impacts.

    Fully support our civil defence planning for possible events, including earthquakes, flooding, subsidence and summer fires.

  • Support council declaring climate change emergency.

    Input to and vote for council's Te Rautaki Huringa Āhuarangi/Climate Change Strategy although I note implementation needs higher priority.

    Transportation options as key to giving people useable public transport bus system. Drive 2023 spine route trial and basis of further change.

  • Make sure Civil Defence in Whanganui is properly resourced, ie utes, shelters, generators, clean water supplies, sand bags, trained staff.

    Encourage tree planting in redundant council owned spaces by the community.

    Help heritage building owners plan and implement earthquake strengthening.

  • Commit to innovative public transport solutions.

    Implement forward-thinking mitigation for the impacts of climate change that are out of our control.

    Drive district council to be 100% renewable power use.

  • Educate community on knowing how their own actions affects climate change. 80% of people surveyed are unsure if Whanganui District Council has a climate change plan!

    Increase awareness of civil defence within the Whanganui District and provide funding for their work.

    Partner with building owners who require assistance for earthquake strengthening and lobby to central government to support funding efforts.

  • Adopt a pragmatic approach that identifies meaningful actions that the council can adopt to reduce its carbon emissions.

    Set a target for emission reduction in the district and work with the community to implement an action plan to achieve the target.

    Review the Council Climate Change Strategy to focus on actions rather than rhetoric.

  • Staunchly support Whanganui District Council's action plan that has been developed from the council climate change strategy. Role model the change we need.

    Resource community initiatives through the Climate Action Fund that will educate and encourage community led initiatives.

    Support the bus spine project launching in 2023. Work to date is good but we need to stay on the case to achieve a transport mode shift.

  • Don't agree. Fact is by trying to reduce emissions in Whanganui and NZ the result will be zero effect on overall emissions.

    Yes, we must adapt to climate change, but not to over react and at huge ratepayers cost.

    Agree. To have ongoing and increased civil defence education on all contingencies including earthquake and volcanic.

  • Commit to building a functional multi modal public transport network that is efficient and accessible.

    Expand support for earthquake strengthening of inner city heritage buildings to safeguard our heritage and create more housing and vibrancy.

  • Commit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions based on European standards. Also reduce SO2 emissions from diesel engines on land and at sea.

    Commit to future proof flood protection in Whanganui.

    Make Civil Defence a professional organisation that can respond to flooding, earthquakes, major slips etc, together with the defence forces.

  • Implement and monitor the Whanganui District Council Te Rautaki Huringa Āhuarangi/Climate Change Strategy with a governance group established to achieve this.

    Work with Horizons Regional Council, district stakeholders, affected residents, and government agencies to reduce and respond to flooding/subsidence risks.

    Allocate council resourcing to new opportunities that enable us to meet climate targets. Addressing climate change is core council business.

  • Establish a district-wide parakore system (Māori recycling system) that reduces Whanganui district's rubbish and waste.

    Provide communities within Whanganui district with civil defence community resources in case of natural disasters and roadblocks etc.

    Establish council grants to ensure every house in Whanganui district has a heat pump.

  • Review targets ensuring they are feasible in the climate change policy. Educate people on personal responsibility and commit to this.

    Support those who are contributing the most to carbon emissions. Facilitate/help them to form a plan.

    Adequately plan for future events due to climate change to ensure a robust action plan is in place.

  • Support strategies to encourage commercial and heritage buildings to be earthquake strengthened plus lobbying government for more funding.

    Lobby NZTA for State Highway 4 Parapara Road section to be made more erosion resilient. This is a vital route and link to our farming community.

    Support continual infrastructure improvements to reduce flood risk, especially in low-lying residential and commercial areas.

  • Reach a consensus of when council can be carbon neutral and then strategise for it to happen. My pick is 2025.

    Work with other agencies such as Horizons Regional Council and insurance companies to manage retreat from flood prone areas.

    Introduce a comprehensive recycling system that meets the present needs.

  • Implement our climate change strategy to encourage reduced emissions and lead by example in our community.

    Adapt future plans to ensure we account for implications of changes in climate, weather systems and rainfall impacts.

    Fully support our civil defence planning for possible events, including earthquakes, flooding, subsidence and summer fires.

  • Support council declaring climate change emergency.

    Input to and vote for council's Te Rautaki Huringa Āhuarangi/Climate Change Strategy although I note implementation needs higher priority.

    Transportation options as key to giving people useable public transport bus system. Drive 2023 spine route trial and basis of further change.

  • Make sure Civil Defence in Whanganui is properly resourced, ie utes, shelters, generators, clean water supplies, sand bags, trained staff.

    Encourage tree planting in redundant council owned spaces by the community.

    Help heritage building owners plan and implement earthquake strengthening.

  • Commit to innovative public transport solutions.

    Implement forward-thinking mitigation for the impacts of climate change that are out of our control.

    Drive district council to be 100% renewable power use.

  • Educate community on knowing how their own actions affects climate change. 80% of people surveyed are unsure if Whanganui District Council has a climate change plan!

    Increase awareness of civil defence within the Whanganui District and provide funding for their work.

    Partner with building owners who require assistance for earthquake strengthening and lobby to central government to support funding efforts.

Vote Whanganui
Vote Whanganui