Overall, rainfall in the region for the year to date has been on average 115 per cent of normal, with two sites in the Waitotarā Valley, Kāhui Hut, Inglewood, and Okōki all recording below normal rainfall. The lower rainfall resulted in mixed river flow recordings, with Wāitara, Wāingongoro, Punehu and Whenuakura waterways all below normal for the month. Conversely, Mānganui, Waiwhākaiho, Waionganā, Kāpoāiaia and Tāwhiti waterways all recorded above the monthly normal. Taranaki was cooler than normal in March, with air temperatures averaging 16.27C across the region.
ANDY JACKSON/Stuff
Toddler Lenny Sibbick, 1, takes a rest on the wet footpath during a heavy rain storm in late March.
Turning 21 in 2021: Millennium babies on growing up in the 21st century
22 Jan, 2021 04:00 PM
6 minutes to read
Cousins all turning 21 this year are, from left, Oliver O Leary, Terence Wright, Isaac Milne and Jack O Leary. Photo / Supplied
Those born in the year 2000 will all be turning 21 in 2021.
Laurel Stowell catches up with local Millennium babies - including five cousins as they reach a traditional coming of age year. Whanganui and New Zealand are relatively stable, but out in the world they face a global pandemic, social unrest and dire predictions for climate and the environment.
Those turning 21 in 2021 also have to wonder how much more technology will change their lives, where the Covid-19 pandemic will end and whether they will ever be able to travel.
Whenuakura Marae upgrade to create safer SH3 access
14 Jan, 2021 04:00 PM
4 minutes to read
Laurel Stowell is a reporter for the Whanganui Chroniclelaurel.stowell@whanganuichronicle.co.nzWhangaChron
[140121WCBRCWav04.JPG] Robina and Anne-Marie Broughton are overseeing a series of upgrades for Whenuakura Marae. Photos / Bevan Conley [140121WCBRCWav09.JPG] The cat Pamatangi is a fixture at the marae. Laurel Stowell laurel.stowell@whanganuichronicle.co.nz
Making access from SH3 to Whenuakura Marae less risky is the main aim of a $229,000 upgrade beginning this month, chairwoman Anne-Marie Broughton says.
The marae applied for Provincial Growth Fund money and also intends to replace the old, borer-ridden floor in its wharekai and add doors that will eventually connect it to the wharenui.