Whanganui District Council is starting work on a new vision and strategy for our district and we want to hear your thoughts and ideas!
In 2014, Whanganui’s Leading Edge Strategy offered a vision for a better connected, creative and prosperous district.
Much has been accomplished since then – check out our reflections document and media release – but now we need a bold new vision and direction for Whanganui.
For the 2024 version, we are focusing on wellbeing under four headings: social, economic, environmental and cultural.
Answer our survey
Why is wellbeing important?
By wellbeing we mean the social, economic, environmental and cultural health of our community; the things we can build-on or change to make a positive difference to everyone’s experience of living in Whanganui.
Wellbeing has been one of the core purposes of local government since it was included in the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Act in 2019. This meant councils would be responsible for improving the wellbeing of our communities.
Our partnership approach
We are taking an active partnership approach, working with Iwi, Hapū and our wider community to determine the vision for Whanganui and we’d love for you to come on this journey with us.
How we will bring the vision to life
While we are engaging with our community on the vision, we are also preparing for consultation on our Long-Term Plan 2024-34. The long-term plan sets out what council will be doing over the next 10 years.
Our Long-Term Plan allows us to implement or put the vision into practice and will be our first opportunity to allocate funding to projects that align with the new vision.
Get involved
We will be conducting online polls and surveys with our community over the next few months and continuing to engage with community leaders and groups to hear their ideas. We’ll also, along with community partners, be holding community kōrero, workshops and events to connect with as many people as possible. Keep an eye out for our advertising on Facebook, Instagram and in our local newspapers, or check below for dates and times.
In late March/April 2024, we’ll start formal consultation on our long-term plan and the vision for Whanganui (which may have a different name by then). Everyone will have the opportunity to have their say then as well.
In the meantime, here are a couple of ways you can be involved and stay updated:
Our District Your Say
Antenno for reminders about in person or online events.