Whanganui Seabed Mining Opposition, Full Events Guide & Local News

Good morning, grab your cuppa because this week's RiverCity Scoop is loaded! 

Our top story: Whanganui's voice on the seabed mining proposal grows louder. Also inside: your essential 'What's On' guide, heartwarming community features, council updates, the latest sports snippets, and your 7-day weather outlook. 

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🌊 Top Story: Whanganui Voices Rise Against South Taranaki Bight Seabed Mining!

Growing community and official concern is surging in Whanganui this week as a proposal to mine 50 million tonnes of iron sand annually from the South Taranaki Bight faces strong local opposition. The mining application by Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR) is being considered under the government's fast-track approvals process, sparking fears that environmental safeguards and community input are being sidelined.

Here’s a look at the key developments and why this is critical for Whanganui:

• Councillor Leads the Charge: Whanganui District Councillor Charlotte Melser is at the forefront, delivering a petition with over 3000 signatures to the council on Tuesday, May 20th. She's urging a united front among affected councils and iwi to fight the proposal, stating Whanganui could face "all of the environmental impact" with "none of the economic benefit."

• Council's United Stand: The Whanganui District Council had already unanimously voted in December 2024 to formally oppose the seabed mining application, reflecting deep concerns at a local governance level.

• Environmental Alarms Sounded: Significant worries persist about the potential for devastating environmental impacts, including sediment plumes travelling down the coast, harming marine ecosystems, fisheries, and iconic species like Māui dolphins and whales that inhabit or migrate through the shared waters of the South Taranaki Bight.

• Cultural Heritage at Risk: Local iwi and hapū hold deep ancestral and cultural connections to the marine environment. Seabed mining is viewed as a significant threat to these taonga (treasures), traditional practices, and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) responsibilities.

• Fast-Track Frustration: The inclusion of the project in the fast-track process is a major point of contention, with opponents arguing it bypasses thorough scrutiny and the strong community opposition that previously saw TTR's consents overturned by the Supreme Court.

To follow developments, keep an eye on updates from the Whanganui District Council and news reports covering the Environmental Protection Authority's fast-track process, as well as statements from groups like Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM) and local iwi.

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🗞️ The Local Digest: Need-to-Know Nibbles

• Somme Parade Speed Bumps Removed: Following considerable community feedback, Whanganui District Council contractors completed the removal of the speed bumps on Somme Parade in Aramoho this week, addressing resident concerns about the traffic calming measures.

• Arts Review Anticipation Builds: Monday marked the submission deadline for the prestigious Pattillo Whanganui Arts Review! Local artists have put their best work forward, and the community now eagerly awaits the announcement of winners by the Sarjeant Gallery at the end of May.

• SH4 Parapara Closure Starts Soon: Heads up, travellers! State Highway 4 Parapara (between Whanganui and Raetihi) will be closed on weekdays from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM, starting next Monday, May 26th, until July 4th, for urgent underslip repairs near Otoko. The road will be open with restrictions on weekends and outside main closure hours.

🤝 Community Corner: Good Folk Doing Good Things

• Celebrating Women on Our Waters: Coastguard Whanganui proudly acknowledged the International Day for Women in Maritime this past Sunday (May 18th). Our local unit celebrated the essential contributions and dedication of its female volunteers and all women involved in maritime search and rescue. 

• A Haven of Compassion: Inside Whanganui SPCA: Serving a wide region from Whanganui City to the Ruapehu region. Their dedicated team of Animal Attendants, Welfare Inspectors, and volunteers work tirelessly in purpose-built facilities, including social cat rooms and spaces for canine companions, offering a refuge and a second chance for animals in need. 

• Whanganui Men's Shed: Building Community, Sharing Skills: The Whanganui Men's Shed offers a vital community space for men to connect, share their skills, enjoy camaraderie, and work together on practical tasks. From individual projects to initiatives benefiting local schools, pre-school centres, and other community groups. It's a fantastic local asset promoting well-being and practical support.

🗓️ What's On Whanganui: Your Week Ahead (May 22nd - May 28th)

Mark your calendars for upcoming events in Whanganui!

Thursday, May 22nd:

• Business After 5 with Resonate Health: Resonate Health Whanganui will explain workplace wellbeing support… Shop 2, 87 Victoria Avenue, 5pm - 7pm

• Pink Ribbon - Ladies Night: Support the Pink Ribbon campaign… Suite 6 Wicksteed Terrace, 212 Victoria Avenue, 5:30pm. Tickets $10 (include refreshments)

Friday, May 23rd:

• JP Clinic: Drop-in clinic for witnessing signatures, certifying documents, declarations… Pukenamu Queens Park (Whanganui District Library) & 44 Abbot St, Gonville. 10:30am - 12pm. 

• Using AI to Publish on Amazon: Using AI software to publish books… Davis Library. 3pm - 4pm. FREE event. RSVP to filipe@whanganuilibrary.

• Michael Jackson History Show: Experience a spectacular music tribute to the King of Pop.... Royal Whanganui Opera House. 8pm. Tickets from the Opera House Box Office or Ticketek.

• Midnight Basketball - Youth Week! Hit the court for a fun night of hoops, music, and games… Springvale Stadium, 8:30pm - Midnight.

Saturday, May 24th:

• Hatched, Matched & Dispatched - Family History Workshop: Learn about births, deaths, and marriages in family history.... Alexander Library, Pukenamu Queens Park. 1pm - 2:15pm. Email [email protected] to inquire about registration.

• Trap Line Volunteer Induction: Learn how to become a trap line volunteer… Piwaiwaka Farm, 673 Papaiti Rd. 2pm - 5pm. RSVP to Julie at [email protected].

• Live Music: Riptide at Lads: Catch local band Riptide… Lads Brewing Company, 1 Taylor Street, 4pm - 7pm.

• Te Awa Dub Club Special - Auntie Shady's Birthday Jam!: Experience authentic reggae soundsystem culture… Porridge Watson, 30 Drews Avenue, 7pm onwards. 

• Fair Trade Event: Featuring guest speaker Maya Duckworth on fairly traded clothing.... 243 Wicksteed Street, 7:30pm. Tickets $20

• BB & The Bullets - First Show at St Johns Club!: Debut show at the club… live from 7:30pm - 10:30pm. Free entry. Note: Members, affiliate members, and their guests only.

Sunday, May 25th:

• Make a Mala Workshop: Learn to make your own mala (prayer beads)...  Whanganui Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay 10am – 1pm. Cost: $40 ($20 unwaged). Limited spots, book via meditateinpalmerstonnorth.org.

• Koea Colour Run - Youth Week 2025: Join Sport Whanganui for a vibrant and fun-filled colour run!... Springvale Park, Whanganui. 12pm – 3pm..

• Riivers Live at Porridge Watson: Catch Riivers for a set of "scrumptious Sunday goodness." Porridge Watson, 30 Drews Avenue, from 6pm. Free entry.

Monday, May 26th:

• Journey through Art Class: Get creative and experiment with various mediums… Beginning at 9:30am.

Tuesday, May 27th:

• Yoga Bootcamp - Iyengar Yoga (Starts Week 1): Get moving in the morning… The Ladies Rest, 76 Saint Hill St. 6:15am - 7am. $15 casual, or $45 for the 4-session block.

• Serious Marketing Workshop - 10 Tactics for Success: A 4-hour hands-on workshop… 139 Guyton Street. 10am - 2pm. Cost: Member $125+, Non $185+ (light lunch included). Bookings essential.

• Candlelit Yin Yoga with Simone: A deeply nourishing 75-minute gentle, floor-based Yin Yoga practice… Whanganui Yoga Centre, 17 Taupo Quay. 5:30pm. (Check here for booking & cost).

Wednesday, May 28th:

• Whanganui Whaikaha Entrepreneur Network with James Paul: Join the May Monthly Networking Bash!... 14 Drews Ave, 5:30pm. 

• First Home Buyers Seminar: Learn about the local market, deposits, the buying process, and more...116 Victoria Ave, 5:30pm - 6:30pm. Must register to attend.

• Open Mic Comedy Night: Enjoy Porridge Watson's monthly comedy evening… Porridge Watson, 30 Drews Ave, 7pm. Free entry; performers can sign up.

Looking Ahead:

• 🖼️ Pattillo Whanganui Arts Review Exhibition Opening: Mark your calendars! ... Opens Friday, May 31st.

• 🚂 SteamRail Wanganui Open Day & Trolley Rides: Bring your friends and family ... Sunday, June 1st, 10am - 4pm.

• 🌱 Community Planting Day: Join Sustainable Whanganui ... early June.

🏛️ Council Catch-Up: Key Stories from Your Council

• Road Safety Boost: Council Joins 'Better Together' Campaign: Whanganui District Council is partnering with NZ Police, NZTA, and ACC for the "Better Together" road safety campaign throughout May and June. This initiative specifically targets distracted driving, especially mobile phone use, urging all drivers to put their phones on 'Do Not Disturb' before driving to keep our roads safe. The campaign will involve education, advertising, and police enforcement.

• Community Champions Better Bus Services: A strong call for an improved public transport network, including more frequent bus services and better accessibility, was a clear theme in public submissions on the Council's draft Annual Plan. This feedback will be considered by councillors in their upcoming deliberations.

• Sarjeant Gallery Access: Entry Fee Debate Continues: The discussion around a potential entry fee for the recently redeveloped Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui remains a significant topic. Councillors are continuing to deliberate on options as part of broader considerations around funding and accessibility for the valued community gallery.

🌦️ Your 7-Day Weather Window (May 21st - May 27th)

Looks like a bit of a mixed bag for Whanganui this week! For the latest details, always check the full forecast at MetService.

• Wed (May 21): Showers, possibly easing and clearing later. Westerlies. 🌦️ High 16°C / Low 9°C.

• Thu (May 22): Mainly fine with some cloudy periods. Light winds. 🌤️ High 17°C / Low 7°C.

• Fri (May 23): Cloud increasing through the day, with rain developing in the evening. Northerlies. 🌥️ High 18°C / Low 10°C.

• Sat (May 24): Rain, easing to showers later in the day. Southerlies developing. 🌧️ High 15°C / Low 8°C.

• Sun (May 25): A few morning showers, then becoming fine. Southwesterlies easing. 🌦️ High 16°C / Low 6°C.

• Mon (May 26): Mainly fine with light winds. A chilly start. ☀️ High 18°C / Low 7°C.

• Tue (May 27): Cloud developing during the day, a chance of a late shower. Northerlies picking up. 🌥️ High 19°C / Low 11°C.

⚽ Sport Snippets: On the Sidelines

• She Made It! Anne Kauika Selected for Dragon Boat Worlds: Fantastic news this week! Following up on reports that she was aiming for selection, we're thrilled to confirm Whanganui's own Anne Kauika has officially made the New Zealand Black Dragons squad. She's now set to compete at the Dragon Boat World Championships in Germany! The community continues to rally behind her as she prepares and fundraises for this incredible journey.

• Youth Week to Culminate in Colourful Celebration: Excitement is building for Sunday's Koea Colour Run at Springvale Park, set to be a vibrant highlight of Youth Week 2025. More than just a fun run, the Sport Whanganui organised event aims to celebrate Whanganui's young people, fostering community spirit and positive engagement through an explosion of colour, music, and activity.

And that's your weekly download from RiverCity Scoop! We've served up the latest from around Whanganui, but now it's your turn to dive in and experience it all. If you uncover a hidden gem, capture an awesome moment, or have a hot tip you think should be on our radar, send it our way – your find could be featured in our next edition!

Catch you for another scoop next Thursday!

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