Wanganui

Introducing Wanganui

With rafts of casual Huck Finn sensibility, Wanganui is a raggedy historic town on the banks of the wide Whanganui River. Despite the recent NZ housing boom, local real estate remains relatively cheap, much to the satisfaction of the thriving arts community. Old port buildings are being turned into glass-art studios and the town centre has been rejuvenated – there are few more appealing places to while away a sunny afternoon than beneath Victoria Ave’s leafy canopy.

But Wanganui isn’t all peaches-and-cream – gang violence makes occasional headlines and you might notice the odd deal going down through a car window – but visitors needn’t lose any sleep.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009