Whanganui & Manawatu

How did the river city, traditionally overlooked by visitors, top RTO area spend in 2020?

The combined EDA and RTO has found a replacement for former CEO Mark Ward, who left suddenly in May.

The Central Economic Development Agency has launched a new How Manawatū Are You spring-summer visitor campaign.

The event is expected to attract more than 1000 competitors this year, half of which are coming from out of town.

Whanganui & Partners is encouraging businesses affected by Covid-19 to take advantage of the business support available.

Gilliland said the approach resulted in “pathetically small” support for already-strong domestic tourism-centric regions.

Hamilton Airport will re-establish the Hamilton-Palmerston North route following a new partnership with Originair.

Visitors spent $12.6m in Whanganui during July, which was more akin to spending over summer holidays than a typical winter month.

The Central Economic Development Agency has launched the ManawatuNZ Visual Library, providing a free resource of imagery and videos to help businesses and locals showcase Palmerston North and the Manawatū.

One in five businesses in the Manawatū remain significantly concerned about revenue, says CEDA.

June 2020 was the strongest June on record for Whanganui despite the impact of Covid-19, according Whanganui & Partners.

Whanganui & Partners will host host a free event in August to help employers understand the support available to them through the Government.

The new apartment hotel Quest Palmerston North will open its doors to the public on 12 August 2020.

Whanganui hospitality and accommodation businesses have seen significant consumer spending growth following the Covid-19 alert level 4 lockdown, says Whanganui & Partners.

An additional $12m has been allocated to Whanganui’s Sarjeant Gallery redevelopment project from a Government infrastructure fund created in response to Covid-19.

Whanganui District Council reviewed the operation of the South Beach Café at the airport and decided not to reopen the facility after it was closed by Covid-19 restrictions.

Whanganui & Partners’ latest tourism campaign aims to boost visitors and spending in the region.

Construction has started on the extension to Whanganui’s Sarjeant Gallery.

Whanganui is well positioned to weather the effects of a global recession due to the Covid-19 crisis compared to other regions, says Infometrics economist Brad Olsen. 

Former Whanganui airport manager Allan MacGibbon is up for one of three special awards at Universal College of Learning Whanganui’s March 19 graduation ceremony.

The Rātana Pā near Whanganui now has ultra-fast broadband, in time for annual Rātana celebrations this week.

Anna Nielson, the boss of food and wine festival Toast Martinborough, will replace David Hancock.

The Star Field observatory complex and astronomy centre in Martinborough is set to open later this month, with a new dark sky experience at Ruakokoputuna.

Pūkaha’s GM on the growth of the unique attraction and the challenges of operating a conservation-based attraction.

A $12m Provincial Growth Fund injection for the Sarjeant Gallery is set to “put Whanganui on the map as a vibrant cultural hub” according to Fletcher Tabuteau.

A drive to unlock the tourism potential of the Manawatū Gorge-Te Apiti region has been given a $200,000 boost from the Provincial Growth Fund.

The operator has praised “focused and conscientious” 20-year old pilot, Joshua Christensen, who died in a mid-air collision on Sunday.

Skydive Wellington has confirmed that it operated one of the aircraft that was involved in a mid-air collision yesterday, killing both pilots.

Tourism in the Manawatū region remains strong despite a sharp drop in international guest nights in February, according to the region’s economists who point to rising spend and strong domestic demand.

However, guest nights spent by Kiwis in commercial accommodation increased for the month, says StatsNZ.

The combined EDA/RTO has hired the current chief executive of the NZ Veterinary Association, Mark Ward.

Most of the cash will go towards the first stage of an Advanced Aviation Hub at Whanganui Airport.

Philippa Ivory will leave the economic development agency on September 14.

Himatangi Beach Holiday Park has won the top gong at the Holiday Park NZ 2018 Awards held in Hamilton last night.

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom won the sole award for public architecture at the New Zealand Institute of Architects Western Architecture Awards on Friday night.

The event takes place from 8-14 April 2019 and will incorporate an arena spectacular telling real stories about the homecoming of the NZDF in 1919.

A ceremony has been held to officially mark the start of construction of He Ara Kotahi, a new 7.6km shared path for cyclists and pedestrians through Palmerston North and over the Manawatu River.

New Plymouth District (NPD) Mayor Neil Holdom has welcomed Government moves to find a solution to the nationwide freedom camping problems.

Mayor of New Plymouth District calls for stronger freedom camping rules to protect the access of locals.

Foxton’s much anticipated tourism and community services centre, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, is set to open its doors on Saturday 18 November 2017.

Whanganui District Council has thrown its weight behind a proposed $34.9m re-development of the historic Sarjeant Gallery to help secure $16m of government funding.

Colliers International has been exclusively appointed to sell the 72-room, 4.5 star Hotel Coachman, arguably Palmerston North’s most popular hotel and event facility.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2017 Beautiful Awards.

Applications are now open for the new Major Events Fund, helping event organisers to build iconic events right here in Manawatu.

Kāpiti and Porirua Chambers of Commerce have begun engaging with Air New Zealand to promote flights from Paraparaumu to Auckland, to drive demand for the local air service.

The NZ Transport Agency has released a long list of options for a long term resilient solution for the Manawatū Gorge route. 

Tourism businesses are among those that could benefit from access to support, advice and resources from a new website that aims to help businesses in the Horizons region grow and flourish.

Tararua’s Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre has appointed Emily Court its new general manager.

Pukaha Mount Bruce is celebrating the beginning of this year’s breeding season with the hatching of 6 pāteke (brown teal) ducklings.

Air New Zealand has congratulated Kāpiti on its growing momentum and says the airline is committed to working with stakeholders to grow tourism in the region.