Wanganui is bracing itself for a mini invasion from its Australian sister city of Toowoomba over the next week during the NZ Masters Games.

As well as competitors making the transtasman journey, a delegation from the Toowoomba Regional Council will also be visiting.

Mayor Paul Antonio will head the council party which includes councillors Carol Taylor, Nancy Sommerfield and Anne Glasheen, Jane Morey (administration) and sports adviser Andrew Allpass who all fly into Wanganui on Monday night.

Mr Antonio, along with Ms Taylor and Ms Sommerfield, heads home on Thursday with the rest of that party heading home on Saturday week.

In between times they will meet Wanganui's Mayor Annette Main and Wanganui district councillors to discuss both staff and youth exchange proposals.

The schedule also has them meeting Wanganui Chamber of Commerce and Masters Games managers, observing Games events, and being involved in Waitangi Day celebrations on February 6.

They will be hosted at a council dinner on Tuesday night with a formal civic welcome on Thursday.

As for the competitors from Toowoomba, they arrive in the form of the Supa Oldies football team, and there are about 30 players and supporters in that group.

Some of their team will be in Wanganui by this weekend with the main group arriving late on Waitangi Day and most staying on in the city until February 13.

They too will be involved in the civic welcome and are keen to take a river cruise on the PS Waimarie.

The cultural side of their visit happens at Anndion Lodge, which is arranging a hangi for them.

- WANGANUI CHRONICLE