Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.wanganui.govt.nz
;
Anzac Pde; adult/child one-way $2/1; 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat & Sun)
Across City Bridge from downtown Whanganui, this elevator was built with grand visions
for Durie Hill's residential future. A tunnel burrows 213m into the hillside, from where a
1919 elevator rattles 65.8m to the top. At the summit you can climb the 176 steps of the
War Memorial Tower
GOOGLE MAP
and scan the horizon for Mt Taranaki and Mt Ruapehu.
MAP
Putiki Church
(20 Anaua St; per person $2, plus deposit $20; services 9am Sun)
Across the City Bridge from town
and 1km towards the sea is the Putiki Church (aka St Paul's Memorial Church). It's unre-
markable externally but, just like the faithful pew-fillers, it's what's inside that counts: the
interior is magnificent, completely covered in Maori carvings and
tukutuku
(woven pan-
els). Show up for Sunday service, or borrow a key from the i-SITE.
CHURCH
Kai Iwi Beach
Kai Iwi Beach is a wild ocean frontier, strewn with black sand and masses of broken drift-
wood. To get here follow Great North Rd 4km north of town, then turn left onto Rapanui
Rd and head seawards for 10km.
BEACH
Splash Centre
(
www.splashcentre.co.nz
;
Springvale Park, London St; adult/child $4.50/3, waterslide $3; 6am-8pm Mon-Fri,
8am-6pm Sat & Sun)
If the sea is angry, try the Splash Centre for a safe swim.
SWIMMING
WHANGANUI OR WANGANUI?
Yeah, we know, it's confusing. Is there a 'h' or isn't there? Either way, the pronunciation is identical: 'wan-ga',
not (as in the rest of the country) 'fan-ga'.
Everything was originally spelled Wanganui, because in the local dialect
whanga
(harbour) is pronounced
'wan-ga'. However, in 1991 the New Zealand Geographic Board officially adopted the correct Maori spelling
(with a 'h') for the Whanganui River and Whanganui National Park. This was a culturally deferential decision:
the Pakeha-dominated town and region retained the old spelling, while the river area - Maori territory - adopted
the new.
In 2009 the Board assented that the town and region should also adopt the 'h'. This caused much community
consternation, opinions on the decision split almost evenly (outspoken mayor Michael Laws was particularly anti-
'h'). Ultimately, NZ Minister for Land Information Maurice Williamson decreed that either spelling was accept-
able, and that adopting the querulous 'h' is up to individual businesses or entities. A good old Kiwi compromise!
Whanderful…
