Our District

A view of Whanganui looking north towards Mt Ruapehu

Whanganui District is located on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand.

Our district is bounded by the Ruapehu District to the north, the Rangitikei District in the east, the Tasman Sea in the south, and the South Taranaki and Stratford District in the west.

The Whanganui River is New Zealand's longest navigable river, stretching for 290km from the slopes of Mount Tongariro to the Tasman Sea.

The Whanganui River Road runs through the Whanganui District which includes the small river settlements of Matahiwi, Ranana, Jerusalem and Pipiriki.

Most of Whanganui's population (48,700 and growing) lives in the central urban area at the mouth of the Whanganui River, but there are also rural communities spread around our district.

Please note: The population figures in the above links differ from the 2019 Stats NZ populate estimates, as they are based on different time periods