Better Off Funding
In 2021, the government announced that a significant funding package – called Better Off Funding – would be available to councils to invest in projects that would deliver lasting benefits for their communities.
This meant Whanganui was able to access this line of central government funding for a range of projects, rather than having it come from rates or other non-rates revenue.
Projects needed to meet a set of criteria from the Department of Internal Affairs to qualify for funding.
Through the development of the Strategy for Whanganui, the council worked with the community, Iwi, and Hapū partners to shape a locally focused programme of work, described as a korowai of active partnership across four strategic pou:
- Our Marae
- Our Changing World
- Our Community and Growth
- and Our Cultural Identity.
The original Better Off Funding proposal prepared in 2022 committed us to a combined investment approach supporting community resilience, Iwi partnership, marae infrastructure, climate response, housing and growth, and cultural identity outcomes.
Most funding has now been spent or is committed, and delivery remains on track for completion by 30 June 2027.
Projects which received central government funding through Better Off Funding are listed below.
Active Partnership
Active Partnership is the korowai that underpins the four pou. It supported Iwi participation in council planning and strategy work shaping Whanganui’s future.
This work has created clearer pathways for Iwi engagement with the council and strengthened participation.
$600,000
Local Water Done Well
Better Off Funding supported the council’s transition to the new water services delivery environment under Local Water Done Well.
The funding allocated supported work associated with the transition, including the planning and preparation needed to meet the requirements of the new water services delivery environment.
$400,000
Pou 1: Our Marae
This pou supports marae infrastructure improvements across the district, recognising the important role marae play in Whanganui communities.
Funding was allocated towards 12 marae to support the necessary infrastructure upgrades for them to continue to serve their communities into the future.
$1.48M
Pou 2: Our Changing World
This pou supports climate change and coastal resilience work across Whanganui.
The Coastal Action Plan is guiding work at Castlecliff/North Mole, Kai Iwi/Mowhanau and South Beach, including coastal hazard assessment, monitoring, community and Hapū engagement and planning for future responses to coastal erosion and climate change.
The funding has also supported the council’s emissions reduction plan, including establishing an emissions baseline, developing a long-term emissions reduction pathway and feasibility studies for priority emissions reduction projects
$500,000
Pou 3: Our Community and Growth
This pou supports community and growth outcomes, including housing and rezoning-related work.
This area remains in progress, with project leads to confirm the final project split, forecast, delivery pathway, and any decisions needed to keep the work aligned with the approved programme scope and completion date.
$750,000
Pou 4: Our Cultural Identity
This pou supports Whanganui’s cultural identity through investment in Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery’s redevelopment.
$2M from Better Off Funding was allocated to the Sarjeant redevelopment, part of a total of $42.4M that went towards this project from central government.
$2M