63-450: The Whanganui Rugby Football Union (WRFU) is the governing body for rugby union in the Whanganui region of New Zealand. The Whanganui Rugby Football Union was formed in 1888. The Whanganui team play from Cooks Gardens , Whanganui, and have enjoyed much success on the playing field throughout their history. Although not a First division team they are one of the leading provinces in terms of
126-658: A glottal stop , but to non-locals the name sounds like "Wanganui" and is hard to reproduce. In 1991, the New Zealand Geographic Board considered demands from some local Māori to change the name of the river to Whanganui . During a three-month consultation period, the Wanganui District Council was asked for its views and advised the Board that it opposed the change. Letters of both support and opposition were received during this time. After some deliberation,
189-572: A change of heart and by now representing Waikato he was selected for the All Blacks side to tour South Africa in 1985. This tour was cancelled as a result of court action taken against the New Zealand Rugby Union . A replacement tour of Argentina was arranged but Osborne withdrew from the side. In 1986 he joined all but two of the 1985 selections on the unsanctioned New Zealand Cavaliers tour of South Africa. While they might not have reached
252-533: A chief from up the Whanganui River. The British military arrived on 13 December 1846 to defend the township. Two stockades, the Rutland and York, were built to defend the settlers. Two minor battles were fought on 19 May and 19 July 1847 and after a stalemate the up river iwi returned home. By 1850, Te Mamaku was receiving Christian instruction from Revd Taylor. There were further incidents in 1847 when four members of
315-453: A dilemma for they were both unsighted by the sideline mayhem were not sure whether the ball had bounced or gone out on a full. Pring ruled that it had been on the full and so that last scrum of the match in what was the last set-piece took place on the Wanganui 22 and it was from there that Taranaki worked the move from which replacement wing Kerry Hurley grubber kicked ahead and won the chase as
378-742: A major collection of works by the Whanganui-born Edith Collier . The Whanganui Regional Museum collection has been growing since the first items were displayed in Samuel Henry Drew 's shop window in Victoria Avenue. It includes artwork by John Tiffin Stewart . Potters have a long history of working in the area, such as Rick Rudd , Paul Rayner and Ivan Vostinar. Local glass artists include Kathryn Wightman, Lisa Walsh, and Claudia Borella. A repertory group has been active in
441-635: A major site of pre-European Māori settlement. The pā named Pūtiki (a contraction of Pūtikiwharanui ) was and is home to the Ngāti Tupoho hapū of the iwi Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi . It took its name from the legendary explorer Tamatea Pōkai Whenua , who sent a servant ashore to find flax for tying up his topknot ( pūtiki ). In the 1820s, coastal tribes in the area assaulted the Kapiti Island stronghold of Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha . Te Rauparaha retaliated in 1830, sacking Pūtiki and slaughtering
504-481: A railway bridge at Aramoho. Wanganui was linked by rail to both New Plymouth and Wellington by 1886. The town was incorporated as a Borough on 1 February 1872, with William Hogg Watt the first Mayor. It was then declared a city on 1 July 1924. As an alternative to the Wanganui chapter of the Women's Christian Temperance Union of New Zealand , Margaret Bullock formed a club for women activists in 1893, originally as
567-615: A sacred area to Māori, and the Whanganui region is still seen as a focal point for any resentment over land ownership. In 1995, Moutoa Gardens in Wanganui, known to local Māori as Pakaitore , were occupied for 79 days in a mainly peaceful protest by the Whanganui iwi over land claims. Wanganui was the site of the New Zealand Police Law Enforcement System (LES) from 1976 to 1995. An early Sperry mainframe computer -based intelligence and data management system, it
630-737: A strong cultural and recreational focus. Queen's Park (Pukenamu) in the central township has several cultural institutions, including the Sarjeant Gallery , the Whanganui Regional Museum , the Davis Library, the Alexander Heritage and Research Library, and the Whanganui War Memorial Centre. Whanganui is home to New Zealand's only glass school and is renowned for its glass art. There are more than 8,000 artworks in
693-569: A writer was his profession. Haden was selected as one of the “Five players of the year” for the 1984 and 1985 seasons, in the Rugby Almanack of New Zealand. Haden was a controversial player, who was accused of cheating and unsporting conduct. The most infamous occurrence of this happened in a match against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park in 1978. The score was 12–10 in Wales's favour, when Haden and another New Zealand player, Frank Oliver , fell to
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#1732884000522756-404: A young poet, Walter D'Arcy Cresswell , who had been blackmailing him over his homosexuality. Mackay served seven years in prison and his name was erased from the town's civic monuments, while Cresswell (himself homosexual) was praised as a "wholesome-minded young man". Mackay's name was restored to the foundation stone of the Sarjeant Gallery in 1985. The Whanganui River catchment is seen as
819-515: Is a Māori language phrase meaning "big bay" or "big harbour". The first name of the European settlement was Petre (pronounced Peter), after Lord Petre, an officer of the New Zealand Company , but it was never popular and was officially changed to "Wanganui" in 1854. In the local dialect, Māori pronounce the wh in Whanganui as [ˀw] , a voiced labial–velar approximant combined with
882-614: Is a World War I memorial, unveiled in 1926. Nearby is the Durie Hill Elevator (1919), which links the hilltop with Anzac Parade via a 66 m (217 ft) elevator and a 200 m (660 ft) tunnel. South of Whanganui is the Cameron Blockhouse . Rotokawau Virginia Lake , located on St John's Hill, is a historic lake with a fountain, Art Deco conservatory and winter garden. Andy Haden Andrew Maxwell Haden (26 September 1950 – 29 July 2020)
945-588: Is another example of award-winning niche manufacturing in the district, winning a Silver Pin at the Best Design Awards in October 2015. Heads Road is Whanganui's main industrial area and is home to a number of manufacturing and engineering operations. The Wanganui Port, once the centre of industrial transport, still has some traffic but is more noted for the Q-West boat building operation there. F. Whitlock & Sons Ltd
1008-1531: Is made up of 13 clubs: Whanganui previously played in the Second division North Island provincial competition and subsequently in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) Third division. In 2006 when the national rugby competitions were restructured, Whanganui entered the Heartland Championship , a competition for New Zealand's smaller provincial unions. They have been regular winners or finalists of Heartland trophies. 2015 Steelform Wanganui Heartland extended squad Forwards: Brett Turner (Pirates); Bryn Hudson (Ngamatapouri); Cole Baldwin (Border); Daniel Fitzgerald (Marist); Fraser Hammond (Ruapehu); Kamipeli Latu (Border); Kieran Hussey (Border); Lasa Ulukuta (Pirates); Malakai Volau (Utiku OB); Peter Rowe (Ruapehu)(Captain); Renato Tikoilosomone (Border); Roman Tutauha (Ruapehu); Sam Madams (Border); Tololi Moala (Pirates); Viki Tofa (Marist). * John Smyth Brought in as injury cover. Backs: Areta Lama (Kaierau); Ace Malo (Kaierau); Denning Tyrell (Pirates); Jaye Flaws (Taihape); Kane Tamou (Ratana); Lindsay Horrocks (Border); Michael Nabuliwaqe (Utiku OB); Poasa Waqanibau (Border); Samu Kubunavanua (Utiku OB); Simon Dibben (Marist); Stephen Pereofeta (Wanganui Collegiate); Troy Brown (Ruapehu); William Short (Ruapehu); Zyon Hekenui (Ruapehu); Trinity Spooner-Neera (Hawkes Bay) A 15-all draw against
1071-485: Is particularly moderate. In 2012, the Federated Farmers Whanganui president, Brian Doughty, said the district's temperate climate meant any type of farming was viable. The Whanganui urban area had a population of 39,720 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 3,078 people (8.4%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 1,992 people (5.3%) since the 2006 census (the population decreased between
1134-476: The New Zealand Company had settled Wellington it looked for other suitable places for settlers. William Wakefield, younger brother of Edward Gibbon Wakefield , negotiated the sale of 40,000 acres in 1840, and a town named Petre – after Lord Petre , one of the directors of the New Zealand Company – was established four kilometres from the river mouth. The settlement was threatened in 1846 by Te Mamaku ,
1197-476: The 'mountains to the sea'. In the local government reorganisation of the 1980s, Wanganui District Council resulted from the amalgamation in 1989 of Wanganui County Council, most of Waitotara County Council, a small part of Stratford County Council, and Wanganui City Council. Hamish McDouall was elected mayor in the 2016 local government elections. All but some 6,100 people in the Whanganui District live in
1260-401: The 1870s, and freezing works , woollen mills, phosphate works and wool stores were established in the town. Today, much of Whanganui's economy relates directly to the fertile and prosperous farming hinterland . Like several New Zealand urban areas, it was officially designated a city until an administrative reorganisation in 1989, and is now run by Whanganui District Council . Whanga nui
1323-530: The 2006 and 2013 censuses). There were 18,930 males and 20,793 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.91 males per female. Of the total population, 7,854 people (19.8%) were aged up to 15 years, 6,867 (17.3%) were 15 to 29, 16,551 (41.7%) were 30 to 64, and 8,445 (21.3%) were 65 or older. Ethnicities were 78.0% European/Pākehā, 27.2% Māori, 3.8% Pacific peoples, 4.5% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities). In 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, Whanganui
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#17328840005221386-433: The All Blacks completed their first-ever Grand Slam against the home unions. Osborne and Bruce Robertson of Counties formed one of the great midfield combinations of any All Black era. In all Osborne played 48 times for New Zealand, including 16 tests. Having retired in 1981, he made a comeback the following season, playing in two of the three tests against Australia before once more announcing his retirement. Again he had
1449-551: The All Blacks. Haden was noted for his powerful scrummage skills and for his imposing presence at the lineout . He played club rugby for Auckland, Harlequins in London and Algida Rome in Italy. Off the field, he published his autobiography, Boots ’n All , in 1983. By receiving royalties from the book, he ostensibly tested the sport's strict amateurism rules in force back then. He ultimately prevailed, however, by claiming that being
1512-510: The Board decided to change the spelling of the river's name from "Wanganui" to "Whanganui". A non-binding referendum was held in Wanganui in 2006, where 82% voted to retain the city's name "Wanganui" without an 'h'. Turnout was 55.4%. Despite the clear results, the spelling of the name continued to be surrounded by significant controversy. Iwi group Te Rūnanga o Tupoho applied to the New Zealand Geographic Board to change
1575-516: The CMS mission station in 1843. The Revd Mason drowned on 5 January 1843 while crossing the Turakina River. By 1844 the brick church built by Mason was inadequate to meet the needs of the congregation, and it had been damaged in an earthquake. A new church was built under the supervision of Taylor, with the timber supplied by each pā on the river in proportion to its size and number of Christians. After
1638-734: The Geographic Board handed the decision to the Minister for Land Information. Despite the referendum results, the Geographic Board recommended to the Minister that the name should be spelt "Whanganui". In December 2009, the government decided that while either spelling was acceptable, Crown agencies would use the spelling "Whanganui", amending the act to allow other official documents to use "Wanganui", as an alternative official name, if desired. On 17 November 2015 Land Information New Zealand Toitū te whenua (LINZ) announced that Wanganui District would be renamed to Whanganui District. This changed
1701-521: The Gilfillan family were murdered and their house plundered. The name of the city was officially changed to Wanganui on 20 January 1854. The early years of the new city were problematic. Purchase of land from the local tribes had been haphazard and irregular, and as such, many Māori were angered by the influx of Pākehā onto land that they still claimed. It was not until the town had been established for eight years that agreements were finally reached between
1764-593: The Haden 'dive' as was thought. Haden did not, however, deny that the attempts to cheat the referee were pre-planned, something also confirmed by his captain Graham Mourie . The match happened on the same day as the annual 'Miss World' competition, which prompted Welsh cartoonist Gren to create a picture of the 'Miss World' event, but with Miss New Zealand lying on the floor, pretending to have been pushed. Haden made his last Test appearance in 1985 against Argentina . Haden
1827-476: The New Zealand Colts followed in 1974 and he made the All Blacks for the waterlogged test against Scotland at Eden Park in 1975. He played in 14 of the 24 matches on the 1976 tour of South Africa. In 1978 Osborne lost his spot for the home series against Australia to Bay of Plenty's Mark Taylor . He won his place back for the end-of-year tour of Britain and Ireland and played in all four internationals as
1890-544: The River. Generations of river iwi have learned to use and protect this great taonga (treasure), and on 13 September 2012 the Whanganui River became the first river in the world to gain recognition as a legal identity . Today the river and its surrounds are used for a number of recreational activities, including kayaking, jet boating, tramping, cycling and camping. A national cycleway has recently opened, which takes cyclists from
1953-579: The Wanganui Women's Franchise League. Ellen Ballance , the second wife of the former Premier John Ballance was the inaugural president until she left for England. Bullock then served as president when the franchise for women was won and the organisation's name changed to the Women's Political League. The membership rolls reached to nearly 3000 at its height. Monthly meetings focused on feminist scholarly inquiry, and Ellen Ballance donated her husband's library to
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2016-577: The ball bounced just a feet from touch over the Wanganui goal-line. And that was it: Taranaki had won 14–12. Wanganui, along with Wellington , Wairarapa Bush , East Coast , Poverty Bay , Hawke's Bay , Manawatu and Horowhenua-Kapiti make up the Hurricanes region. There have been 17 players selected for the All Blacks while playing club rugby in Whanganui: Andy Haden (All Black 1972-85)
2079-459: The city's name to "Whanganui" in February 2009, and in late March the Board found there were grounds for the change. The public was given three months to comment on the proposed change, beginning in mid-May. The public submissions were relatively equal, with a slim majority in favour of keeping the status quo. Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws spoke strongly against the proposed change. A second referendum
2142-520: The city. The suburbs within Whanganui include (clockwise from central Watt Fountain): Whanganui enjoys a temperate climate, with slightly above the national average sunshine (2100 hours per annum), and about 900 mm (35 in) of annual rainfall. Several light frosts are normally experienced in winter. The river is prone to flooding after heavy rain in the catchment, and in June 2015 record flooding occurred with 100 households evacuated. Whanganui's climate
2205-461: The club. Bullock and Jessie Williamson led the club's connections with the National Council of Women of New Zealand . By 1903, a year in which Bullock died and Williamson moved to Christchurch , the club's activities had declined and its library collection was donated to the local public library. Perhaps Wanganui's biggest scandal happened in 1920, when Mayor Charles Mackay shot and wounded
2268-485: The colonials and local tribes, and some resentment continued (and still filters through to the present day). Wanganui grew rapidly after this time, with land being cleared for pasture. The town was a major military centre during the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s, although local Māori at Pūtiki led by Te Keepa Te Rangihiwinui remained friendly to settlers. In 1871, a town bridge was built, followed six years later by
2331-599: The corner of Campbell and Plymouth Streets is now a private home, but it was formerly the Karitane Home and later a boarding residence for secondary school students. It was built for philanthropist John Tiffin Stewart and social activist Frances Ann Stewart . There are two large towers overlooking Whanganui: the Durie Hill War Memorial Tower and the Bastia Hill Water Tower. The Durie Hill Tower
2394-526: The early 1950s and his grandson Peter Belliss was a flanker or lock for the side in the 1970s before turning his attention to bowls, a sport in which he won two world titles. Born and bred in Whanganui, midfield back Bill Osborne graduated from the Whanganui High School first XV straight into the Kaierau senior side. In 1973 he made his debut for Wanganui four days after his 18th birthday. Selection for
2457-586: The emergence of Bill Osborne in 1975, Ernest (‘Moke’) Belliss was without doubt Wanganui's greatest contribution to New Zealand rugby. Belliss made his representative debut for Wanganui in 1914 before enlisting to serve during World War II. He first came to national attention as a member of the New Zealand Army rugby team of 1919 which won the King's Cup tournament in Britain and then toured South Africa. Belliss played in
2520-759: The gallery, initially focused on 19th- and early 20th-century British and European art but, given the expansive terms of the will of benefactor Henry Sarjeant , the collection now spans the 16th century through to the 21st century. Among the collections are historic and modern works in all media – on paper, sculptures, pottery, ceramics and glass; bronze works; video art; and paintings by contemporary artists and old masters. The Gallery holds notable works by Edward Coley Burne-Jones , Domenico Piola , Frank Brangwyn , Bernardino Poccetti , Gaspard Dughet , William Richmond , William Etty , Lelio Orsi , Frederick Goodall , Augustus John and others. Its New Zealand holdings include six works by Wanganui artist Herbert Ivan Babbage and
2583-449: The ground as if pushed during a lineout after the ball had been thrown in. The referee awarded a penalty in the dying moments of the match, which Brian McKechnie kicked, winning the game for New Zealand. Later, Welsh legend J. P. R. Williams wrote that Haden should have been sent off. Despite the controversy however, the referee subsequently stated that the penalty had actually been awarded for an actual infringement against Oliver and not
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2646-402: The heights of Belliss and Osborne, Trevor Olney and Bob Barrell are typical of the unsung heroes of many of New Zealand's provincial unions. Between 1973 and 1990 Olney played a record 146 times for Wanganui. These were amateur days in which a player had to fit training and matches around a full-time job, so his commitment over 18 seasons was truly remarkable. Barrell scored a record 980 points for
2709-592: The heritage building is strengthened and redeveloped. The Whanganui Regional Museum (1928) and the Alexander Heritage and Research Library (1933) were both bequests of the Alexander family. The award-winning Whanganui War Memorial Hall (1960) is one of New Zealand's finest examples of modernist architecture. The Royal Whanganui Opera House is located in St Hill Street in central Whanganui. Stewart House on
2772-589: The inhabitants. The first European traders arrived in 1831, followed in 1840 by missionaries Octavius Hadfield and Henry Williams who collected signatures for the Treaty of Waitangi . On 20 June 1840, the Revd John Mason, Mrs Mason, Mr Richard Matthews (a lay catechist) and his wife Johanna arrived to establish a mission station of the Church Missionary Society (CMS). The Revd Richard Taylor joined
2835-489: The junction of State Highways 3 and 4. Most of the city lies on the river's northwestern bank, because of the greater extent of flat land. The river is crossed by five bridges: Cobham Bridge, City Bridge, Dublin Street Bridge and Aramoho Railway Bridge (rail and pedestrians only) and a Cycle bridge which was opened in 2020. Both Mount Ruapehu and Mount Taranaki can be seen from Durie Hill and other vantage points around
2898-511: The longest navigable waterway in the country, and runs for 290 km (180 mi) from the heights of Mount Tongariro to Wanganui's coast and the Tasman Sea. Every bend and rapid of the river (there are 239 listed rapids) has a guardian, or kaitiaki, who maintains the mauri (life force) of that stretch of the river. Whanganui hapū (sub-tribes) were renowned for their canoeing skills and maintained extensive networks of weirs and fishing traps along
2961-576: The majority of which is hill country, with a narrow coastal strip of flat land and a major urban settlement on the lower banks of the Whanganui River. A large proportion of this is within the Whanganui National Park , established in 1986. The region is known for its outstanding natural environment, with the Whanganui Awa (River) at its heart. It is the second-largest river in the North Island,
3024-543: The match approached the final minute but for excitement of their supporters who thinking they were part of a historic moment as Wanganui had never won the Ranfurly Shield crowded the touchline. A desperate Brown had dropped for goal trying to gain the winning points. When it had missed Pierce had dashed to the 22 and taken a quick drop out. In the event his hurried kick had landed among the Wanganui spectators and they gave referee John Pring and touch judge George Brightwell
3087-615: The number of lower divisional titles won. The Whanganui Rugby Football Union was formed on 11 April 1888. It then joined the NZRFU as a foundation member in 1892. Wanganui's first official game after affiliation with the NZRFU was against the British and Irish Lions in 1888, with a 1–1 draw being more than encouraging for the union. In 1913 Whanganui played Australia and won 11-6 and in 1966 (with King Country ) they won against touring side, British and Irish Lions 12–6. Wanganui Rugby Football Union
3150-459: The official name of the District Council, and, because Whanganui is not a city council but a district, the official name of the urban area as well. On 19 November 2015, the name change was officially gazetted. In September 2019, the region that Whanganui District Council is part of was renamed from Manawatu-Wanganui to Manawatū-Whanganui. The area around the mouth of the Whanganui river was
3213-629: The powerful Taranaki side of 1964 remains the closest the men from Wanganui have ever come to winning the Ranfurly Shield . Into the last minutes of the match Wanganui held a 12–11 lead and even if on paper and in the match itself they had seemed the inferior team it seemed as if they would hang on. Their hero was wing Colin Pierce who had kicked all of Wanganui's points from penalties to put them ahead even though Taranaki had gained tries to John McCullough and Ross Brown . Wanganui might well have won as
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#17328840005223276-462: The second-most-populous in Manawatū-Whanganui, with a population of 42,500 as of June 2024. Whanganui is the ancestral home of Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi and other Whanganui Māori tribes. The New Zealand Company began to settle the area in 1840, establishing its second settlement after Wellington . In the early years, most European settlers came via Wellington. Whanganui greatly expanded in
3339-481: The three home tests against the 1921 Springboks and captained the All Blacks in Australia the following year. Belliss has been compared to later players such as Waka Nathan and Buck Shelford . Commentator Winston McCarthy remembered him as hard, tough and fast, a good handler and a ferocious tackler. His opponents feared him and players of his era ranked him with the world's best. His son Jack captained Wanganui until
3402-512: The town since 1933. Since 1994, The New Zealand Opera School has been hosted at Whanganui Collegiate School . Pukenamu–Queens Park in central Whanganui, formerly the hilltop location of the Rutland Stockade, is home to several iconic buildings. The Sarjeant Gallery , a Category I Historic Place, was a bequest to the town by local farmer Henry Sarjeant , and opened in 1919. Since 2014, it has been in temporary premises on Taupo Quay while
3465-412: The township itself, meaning there are few prominent outlying settlements. A small but notable village is Jerusalem , which was home to Mother Mary Joseph Aubert and the poet James K. Baxter . The Whanganui District is also home to other settlements with small populations, including Kaitoke, Upokongaro , Kai Iwi /Mowhanau, Aberfeldy, Westmere, Pākaraka , Marybank, Okoia and Fordell. Whanganui has
3528-619: The union between 1963 and 1977. Whanganui Whanganui ( / ˈ hw ɒ ŋ ən uː i / ; Māori: [ˀwaŋanui] ), also spelt Wanganui , is a city in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand . The city is located on the west coast of the North Island at the mouth of the Whanganui River , New Zealand's longest navigable waterway. Whanganui is the 19th most-populous urban area in New Zealand and
3591-649: Was a New Zealand rugby union player and All Black captain. He played at lock for Auckland and New Zealand from 1972 until 1985. He also played club rugby in the United Kingdom and Italy. Haden was born in Wanganui on 26 September 1950. He attended Wanganui Boys' College . He made his All Black debut in 1972, and his Test debut against the British Lions in 1977, going on to make 41 Test appearances and scoring two tries. Of those 41 appearances, 8 were as captain of
3654-524: Was a notable company, first established in 1902. Much of Whanganui's economy relates directly to the fertile and prosperous farming hinterland near the town. Whanganui is well known for embracing the production of several new pear varieties, including the Crimson Gem. In May 2016, it was reported that the majority of the Whanganui pear crop had been wiped out before the upcoming pear season. The Whanganui District covers 2,337 km (902 sq mi),
3717-456: Was an agent for various celebrities, including Rachel Hunter . He was given the honorary position of Rugby World Cup Ambassador in 2010, but resigned the post after making controversial statements about a racial quota he alleged the Crusaders to be operating, calling Polynesians "darkies", and then suggesting women raped by sports stars may be partly to blame. In 2003, Haden announced that he
3780-428: Was born in 1950 in Whanganui and attended Wanganui Boys' College before he played senior rugby for Massey University in 1970 and moved to Auckland in early 1971. Charlie Seeling (All Black 1904-08) started his rugby career for Wanganui before moving to Auckland from where he was selected for the original All Blacks . In 1897 John Blair became the first of 17 Wanganui players to pull on an All Blacks jersey. Until
3843-497: Was held in Wanganui in May 2009, and residents again overwhelmingly rejected changing the city's name, with 22% voting to change it to "Whanganui" and 77% voting to retain the name as "Wanganui". Voter turnout was 61%, the highest in a Wanganui referendum, reflecting the widespread controversy. Recognising that the decision was ultimately political in nature, not linguistic, in September 2009
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#17328840005223906-564: Was included in the world's Smart21 Intelligent Communities by the Intelligent Community Forum. Whanganui has a strong industry base, with a history of niche manufacturing. Current businesses include Q-West Boat Builders, based at the Port who have built boats for customers from around New Zealand and the world and were awarded a contract in 2015 to build two 34-meter passenger ferries for Auckland ferry company Fullers. Pacific Helmets
3969-494: Was known colloquially as the "Wanganui Computer". The data centre housing it was subject to New Zealand's highest-profile suicide bombing on 18 November 1982 when anarchist Neil Roberts detonated a gelignite bomb in the entry foyer. Roberts was the only casualty of the bombing. Whanganui is on the South Taranaki Bight , close to the mouth of the Whanganui River . It is 200 km (120 mi) north of Wellington and 75 km (47 mi) northwest of Palmerston North , at
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