Whanganui District Council

Promote and grow signature Whanganui events like Vintage Weekend and Cemetery Circuit to attract visitors and boost the local economy.

Maximise revenue from council-owned assets by ensuring facilities deliver strong returns through exhibitions, events and venue hire.

Promote Whanganui's sports and recreational facilities, supporting community programs, events and easy access for residents and visitors.

Commit to maintaining the public facilities we have.

Support the festivals and other events we have.

Ensure liquor licensing is observed by all outlets in Whanganui.

Embrace Garden to Table programmes teaching children plant-based growing, cooking and nutrition skills.

Partner with communities and schools to convert unused land into community gardens, orchards and māra kai.

Transform libraries into community hubs with repair cafés, tool libraries and resource sharing spaces.

Maximise the potential of venues and events. We need to be visionary in this space by increasing revenue and affordability for locals.

Reinstate sufficient budget for parks maintenance recognising how valued open spaces are to the community.

Support community events as communities thrive when there are spaces to connect and be inspired.

Champion and support tourism, arts, culture and sports for regional vibrancy and economic benefits.

Not support the Splash Centre extension at this stage during the cost of living crisis but support the WE pool refurbishment.

Prioritise the library extension in the Long-Term Plan and support an Opera House upgrade.

Promote sport and recreation within culture for mental health and well-being.

Increase community-run events with backing from the council.

Ensure all Whanganui assets are maintained and run by council employees.

Improve the Splash Centre to increase its use and ensure that the Whanganui East Pool is adequately funded.

Protect the heritage buildings and the arts and culture of the city.

Celebrate the large and diverse motorsport community with council facilitating and publishing a motorsport Whanganui calendar of events.

Create more dog parks; Polson Park on Durie Hill is perfect and only requires a front gate change, so low cost, high payoff.

Investigate solar panels as part of the revamped Whanganui East Pools, sell power back to the grid in winter and extend the season with heating.

Ensure greenspaces in neighbourhoods are preserved and included in new suburbs so everyone has easy access to a green area.

Strongly support youth engagement work to improve youth social spaces in the community during this term.

Support the council community development team in all work making the community more inclusive, vibrant and safe.