Big read: Whanganui s tourism success story in 2020
12 Mar, 2021 04:00 PM
6 minutes to read
Whanganui had the strongest growth of any tourism market over 2020. What s driving it? Photo / File
Whanganui had the strongest growth of any tourism market over 2020. What s driving it? Photo / File
In some of the most testing of circumstances for tourism operators across the country, Whanganui s tourism sector has come out on top, showing the most substantial growth of any district over 2020. Ethan Griffiths finds out what s sparked it.
It was revealed this month that the district s tourism spend grew 4 per cent over the 2020 calendar year - despite New Zealand admitting almost zero tourists through its border, as well as grappling with lockdown restrictions for almost six weeks between March and May.
Taonga stolen from Whanganui paddle steamer Waimarie
2 Mar, 2021 04:00 PM
2 minutes to read
The carving by Dean Flavell was stolen from the Waimarie sometime in the last few weeks. Photo / Supplied
The carving by Dean Flavell was stolen from the Waimarie sometime in the last few weeks. Photo / Supplied
The wood carving was stolen some time in the last two weeks.
The taonga, created by master carver Dean Flavell, is based on the taurapa washboard found of the rear of the taurapa (canoe sternpost).
The kowhaiwhai pattern carved in the background is called mangopare (hammerhead shark), a design used to represent strength and which symbolises the river.