Backing good growth with simpler planning rules
Published on 18 August 2026
Whanganui is taking practical steps to make its planning rules easier to work with to support good development.
The council has approved a proposed change to its district plan – called Plan Change 66 – to go out for public feedback. The changes are aimed at making the district plan clearer and easier to use as an interim measure while New Zealand moves towards a new planning system.
Strategy and Policy Committee Chair Cr Glenda Brown says there’s no reason to wait for national reforms to make improvements to the current plan.
“We know the planning system is changing but the council still has to work with the district plan for several years,” Cr Brown says.
“So we’re looking at what we can improve now – making the rules clearer, removing unnecessary requirements and making sure the plan works as it should.”
The proposed changes include updating transport provisions, moving engineering standards out of the district plan into a standalone document, changing firefighting water supply requirements and simplifying some earthworks associated with retaining walls.
The current rules will stay in place while feedback is considered and any changes will take effect after the council has considered submissions and made its decisions.
Mayor Andrew Tripe says a planning system that works well is important for Whanganui’s future.
“People want to build homes, grow businesses, create jobs and invest in our district,” Mayor Andrew says.
“We want Whanganui to be a place where people can turn good ideas into reality, whether that’s a new home, growing a business, a subdivision, a community facility, or an investment that creates jobs.
“A key consideration in all of this is making sure development is done in a way that protects what makes Whanganui special, with the appropriate safeguards in place to look after our heritage, our river, our neighbourhoods and the character that makes people choose to live, work and visit here.”
Cr Brown says the plan change is deliberately targeted at practical issues.
“This isn’t a major rewrite of the district plan. It’s about fixing things that don’t need to be complicated.”
She says Plan Change 66 is open for public feedback now and the council is encouraging developers, builders, planners, property owners, businesses and residents to have their say.
“The council is keen to hear from the people who use the plan, live with its outcomes, and understand the practical barriers that can slow good projects down. Developers, planners, builders and property owners will have valuable technical insights. Residents will have valuable local knowledge. Both are needed.”
The proposed changes can be viewed during normal office hours, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, at Whanganui District Council’s customer services desk at 101 Guyton Street, at the Davis and Gonville libraries, or online via the council website.
Anyone can make a submission on proposed Plan Change 66. Submissions can be made online at https://eplan.whanganui.govt.nz/eplan/# or by sending a written or electronic submission to Whanganui District Council, PO Box 637, Whanganui 4541, or emailing PlanningPolicy@whanganui.govt.nz
Submissions close at 5.00pm on Monday, 14 September.