River City so close to podium

Annette Main

Whanganui has missed out on the top spot at the Intelligent Communities Forum.

Montreal in Canada was named Intelligent Community of the year at the forum's annual summit in Columbus, Ohio, during the weekend.

Earlier this year Whanganui was named as a Top 7 intelligent community by the international forum which focuses on development in the broadband economy.

Whanganui has been climbing the ranks since first making the top 21 in 2012. Hundreds apply to the awards scheme each year.

Whanganui has retained its top 21 status each year since 2012 and in May was elevated to the top 7 for the first time.

Whanganui Mayor Annette Main and council innovation leader Marianne Archibald were at the summit, and their presentation last week to business and civic leaders from all over the world focused on development around technology and collaboration.

Before leaving for the summit, Ms Main said getting in the top 7 was an amazing achievement for Whanganui and expected it would take a couple of years in the top 7 to reach the top of the podium.