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  • Happy Happy Mother's Day, Whanganui! Plus: Highway Updates & Your Event Guide.

Happy Happy Mother's Day, Whanganui! Plus: Highway Updates & Your Event Guide.

May 08, 2025

Good morning Whanganui! A big, warm greeting as we approach Mother's Day this Sunday! We hope you get to celebrate the wonderful mother figures in your life. Alongside finding great local ways to do just that (like enjoying the Whanganui Performing Arts Festival continuing on Sunday!), this week's RiverCity Scoop dives into the Te Ahu a Turanga highway's potential, shares important community news, and lines up your week with plenty of local happenings.

Settle in with a hot drink for the full story!

🚚Top Story: Highway to Growth - Te Ahu a Turanga's Promise

Get ready for smoother travel and a potential economic boost, Whanganui! This week, we're focused on the Te Ahu a Turanga Manawatū Tararua Highway and its implications for our city. Though east of the Manawatū, its improved connections and efficiencies are set to benefit Whanganui. Read the full story here.

  • The Efficiency Boost: Local transport companies stand to gain through reduced operating costs from lower fuel consumption and less vehicle wear, plus safer, faster journeys to eastern markets like Napier Port. This is crucial for industries like freezing works, as transport operator Darrell Hoskin emphasizes regarding Saddle Road challenges.

  • The Strategic Vision: Mayor Andrew Tripe views this highway as key to developing Whanganui's strategic transport hub, linking sea, air, rail, and road to maximize our distribution potential.

  • The Regional Impact: As part of the broader "Te Utanganui" strategy to enhance regional connectivity and economic strength, the highway will indirectly benefit Whanganui by streamlining supply chains and improving access.

  • The Tourism Potential: The highway will also improve the Taranaki-Hawke's Bay tourist loop, potentially drawing more visitors to Whanganui.

    Essentially, this new highway offers a vital link, connecting Whanganui to wider markets and driving economic opportunity.

✨ Shine a Light on Your Business! ✨

Want to connect with engaged Whanganui locals? RiverCity Scoop is the perfect platform to showcase your business! We deliver the news and events that matter straight to inboxes every Thursday. Reach out to us at [email protected] to explore our affordable and effective advertising options. Let's make some magic happen!

🗞️ The Local Digest: Need-to-Know Nibbles

  • Whanganui Iwi Leader Appointed to Waitangi Tribunal: A significant local appointment saw Gerrard Albert appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal, as reported on May 1st. This is an important recognition and role within the nation.

  • North Island Tourism Alliance to Boost Visits: Whanganui is set to benefit from a new North Island tourism alliance. Formed on May 4th, this collaboration of fifteen tourism groups aims to attract more international visitors to regions including Whanganui.

  • Positive Steps for Forestry with Rail Switch: A local forestry company, Forest360, made a positive move by switching to rail transport for logs destined for New Plymouth. This change, reported on May 3rd, is expected to take approximately eight truck and trailer loads off the road daily, contributing to a more positive environmental impact.

💼 Business Buzz: Growing & Inclusion

  • Strategic Growth Support: Looking ahead, Business Whanganui is hosting a "May Book Club: Smart Strategy, Strong Business" on Thursday, May 15th. This event aims to equip local business owners with insights into crafting well-defined business strategies to foster long-term success, growth, and resilience in a dynamic market.

  • Digital Inclusion Whanganui: A shout-out to Digital Inclusion Whanganui for their work in bridging the digital divide and helping locals achieve their goals. Check out their latest report and business plan to see how they're making a difference.

🤝 Community Corner: Good Folk Doing Good Things

  • Free Electric Blanket Safety: As we head into the colder months, it's important to be aware that older electric blankets can pose a fire risk. To help residents stay safe, Fire and Emergency New Zealand is offering free testing services. Testing is available at Whanganui Fire Station (walk-ins only on Monday, May 12th) or via a convenient drop-off/pick-up service at the Citizens Advice Bureau.

  • U3A Whanganui: Learn and connect in your retirement! U3A Whanganui offers a range of groups for retired or semi-retired people to socialize and learn together. Members share their knowledge and skills in small groups focused on diverse topics like books, music, philosophy, and more. It's about learning together, having fun, and exploring new interests.

🗓️ What's On Whanganui: May 8th - May 14th

Get ready for another week of fantastic events in our River City!

📣 Get Your Voice Heard! 📣

Want to reach a wide audience of engaged Whanganui locals? Advertising with RiverCity Scoop is a fantastic way to promote your business, event, or initiative. Contact us at [email protected] to request our media kit and learn more about our affordable advertising options.

🏛️ Council Catch-Up: Running, Winning & Watching

  • Prospective Candidate Information Evening: Thinking of running for council? An information evening will be held at Te Ao Hou Marae on Friday, May 16th, at 5:15 PM to discuss what's involved. The event will focus on Māori participation in the upcoming election.

  • Council Communication Survey: Whanganui District Council is seeking feedback on its communication methods. Fill out their quick survey for a chance to win a $50 grocery voucher! You can find the survey link on the Whanganui District Council's Facebook page.

  • Projects & Grants Committee: Tune in to the livestream of the Projects & Grants Committee on Thursday, May 7th, at 9:30 AM on Facebook Live. The committee will discuss updates on the Waste Minimisation Fund, capital projects, the Heritage Grant Fund, and more. The agenda is available on the Whanganui District Council website.

🌦️ Your 7-Day Weather Window

Expect a mixed bag this week! Showers to start Thursday, clearing for a lovely, sunny Mother's Day weekend with highs around 18-19°C. Rain returns early next week, especially Tuesday, then eases by mid-week. Check the full forecast at MetService.

  • Thu (May 8): Cloudy, showers. 🌦️ High 16°C / Low 8°C.

  • Fri (May 9): Partly cloudy. 🌥️ High 17°C / Low 7°C.

  • Sat (May 10): Sunny. ☀️ High 18°C / Low 6°C.

  • Sun (May 11): Mostly sunny. 🌤️ High 19°C / Low 9°C.

  • Mon (May 12): Cloudy. ☁️ High 15°C / Low 10°C.

  • Tue (May 13): Rain. 🌧️ High 14°C / Low 9°C.

  • Wed (May 14): Showers easing. 🌦️ High 16°C / Low 8°C

(Forecast courtesy of MetService)

🏉 Sport Shorts: Whanganui Winning!

  • Concussion Awareness & Local Impact: Whanganui saw a drop in new sports concussion claims in 2024 (74, down from the previous year and the lowest since 2020), with rugby making up 40%. Overall claim costs also decreased, indicating improved concussion awareness and management in the local sports scene.

  • Spotlight on Local Softball Talent: 15-year-old Poppy Priddle from Whanganui has impressively been selected for the White Sox national softball team, highlighting significant local sporting talent.

  • Team Whanganui at Halberg Games: Team Whanganui athletes enjoyed the Halberg Games, competing in 20+ sports. First-timers and returning athletes had a great experience thanks to the support from Sport Whanganui, the Halberg Foundation, and Pub Charity Limited.

That's the Scoop for this week!

A very Happy Mother's Day this Sunday to all the wonderful mums and mother figures in Whanganui! We hope your day is filled with love and joy. Stay warm, support local, and enjoy everything our great city has to offer. See you next Thursday!

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