The Wanganui district was first settled by the Maori people, who were
attracted by the Whanganui River, the sheltered fertile valley, and the
abundant food supply.
Kupe, the legendary Maori discoverer of New Zealand, is given the credit
for finding the Whanganui River, though it was Tamatea, Captain of the
Takitimu Canoe, who was the first to fully explore the region. Early settlement
came soon after, through descendants of the Aotea Canoe.
The first Europeans landed at the river mouth in 1831. In 1840, the New
Zealand Company, unable to provide sufficient land at or near Wellington
for its constantly arriving settlers, began to negotiate for land in the
township of Wanganui. By 1860, a population of around 2000 people had
settled in Wanganui. Today, the Whanganui River, which is the second longest
river in the North Island, still provides a home for Maori and a multitude
of lifestyle activities for locals and tourists alike.
Kawana Mill (1854)
Matahiwi, Wanganui River Road, Wanganui Valley
The Kawana Mill is a good example of a rebuilt water-power
mill, with its original waterwheel and grinding stones. It
was first built with the help of Governor Grey to grind the
wheat grown by local Maori farmers.
These day tours are conducted in the Rangitikei, Hawkes Bay and Wanganui
districts.
As you visit several beautiful heritage homes not normally open to the
public, your tour guide will inform you about aspects of New Zealand history
including settlement, lifestyle and design of homes. Find out
more
Riverboat
offers a touch of the past
In
the 1880s, it was Kennedy's; now it is Upokongaro. Then, it
was a riverboat ride or a twice-daily coach service from Wanganui;
now, the riverside village at the southern end of the Parapara
section of State Highway 4 is an easy 12-kilometre drive north
of the River City. A restored paddle steamer, the Waimarie,
offering a taste of the journey of an 1880s' tourist, will
stop there at weekends using a new jetty.
