2026 Smokefreerockquest and Tangata Beats Whanganui regional final

2026 Smokefreerockquest and Tangata Beats Whanganui regional final

All the action from Whanganui's Smokefreerockquest and Tangata Beats regional final at the Royal Whanganui Opera House, May 16. Video / Smokefreerockquest

Pihama Hall blaze: Eight South Taranaki fire crews battle major blaze

Multiple South Taranaki fire crews battled a fire at Pihama Hall overnight. Video / Supplied

Pihama hall fire

The Pihama hall was 'fully involved' when Fire and Emergency crews arrived. Video / Mel Lyn Payne

Pod of common dolphins sighted on Whanganui coast

A pod of common dolphins swam alongside a Whanganui fisherman's boat on Monday morning between Kai Iwi and Ototoka Beach.

Wild deer in Whanganui suburb Aramoho are causing disruption for some residents

Wild Deer in Aramoho trotting down the streets. Video / Supplied

2025 King's Birthday Honours List

Celebrating the Knights and Dames appointed in this year's King's Birthday Honours list. Video / NZ Herald

Bitumen on Desert Rd detour sticking to vehicle tyres

Crews are working to remedy a bitumen spill on the Desert Rd detour between Turangi and National Park with reports of the black, sticky substance sticking to vehicle tyres.

Morris Dancing in Whanganui

Morris dancers performing by the Riverboat Centre in Whanganui. Video / Steve Carle

Amdram Whanganui presents Oliver!

Graham Dack - president of Amdram Whanganui and director of "Oliver!" performed at the Royal Whanganui Opera House. Video / Steve Carle

NZ U16 rowing marathon record smashed

Jake Newton smashed the NZ rowing marathon record by over 13 minutes on Saturday, July 28. Video / Steve Carle

One night out ended with the purchase of a crayfishing boat

Cruising into clear, crisp skies in the Whanganui port upon their arrival, the four men were “pretty chuffed” with the purchase from their night out.

Maggie's Shine Bright Day

Fordell School celebrates the end of Maggie's chemotherapy treatment with Shine Bright Day. Video from Fordell School.

Fire SH4: The Parapara

Fire in a large 20x20m bush block on State Highway 4 near Parikino north of Whanganui.

I am new to this: Bricklaying

Summer Series. I am new to this. Reporter Liz Wylie gets to do bricklaying with bricky Shane Dudley. Photo / Bevan Conley

I am new to this: Fire fighting

Summer Series. I am new to this. Reporter Eva de Jong spends a morning with the local fire brigade.

I am new to this: Singing

Summer Series. I am new to this. Reporter Michael Tweet has a go at learning to sing.

I am new to this: Pro Wrestling

Whanganui Chronicle reporter Finn Williams takes on River City Pro Wrestling

Te Pāti Māori mass protest in Whanganui

Te Pāti Māori mass protest: 250 protesters blocked traffic on Whanganui’s main highway closing down SH3 for about half an hour. Video / Bevan Conley

The Great NZ Road Trip: 'Doing good' a way of life for Taranaki entrepreneur

From a north Taranaki farm to Kenya to a New Plymouth brew pub, local entrepreneur Dan Radcliff says "things don’t have to be boring to do good.” Video / Ilona Hanne / IVHQ / NZ Herald

The Sarjeant Gallery's steel waka

NZ Structural and Engineering owners Jared Davis and Mat Gaudin talk about the steel bridge connecting old and new parts of the gallery.

Te Ngaru The Tide - Somme Place

Te Ngaru The Tide - Somme Place

Local Focus: Taranaki Paramedic on the trauma of saving lives

Mark Belchamber wrote a book to help him deal with the dark side of the job.

Matariki celebration at Majestic Square, Whanganui

Whanganui’s town centre hosted a free community event marking Matariki and Puanga season, with live entertainment, fun activities and kai.

Watch: 'Jake the bus' Wild altercation on Whanganui bus goes viral

A Whanganui bus driver is threatened by an irate motorist. Video / Kajun Campbell Brooking

Raw chicken

Stuart McLeod made it through half of his burger and said it tasted “pretty yum” but noticed the chicken patty was missing its normal crispy crunch.

Kinder the chicken

Kinder has had a brace on her leg to mend a broken bone. Surgery done by Veterinarian Dr Hein Stoop, from Whanganui Veterinary Services, was done to remove the brace and pins. Kenda made a full recovery.

ANZAC Service Whanganui

Dawn parade in Whanganui for 2023

No Water No Future

A hīkoi [march] organised by water kaitiaki group No Water No Future marched through central Whanganui to the Whanganui District Council. By Te Kakenga Kawiti-Bishara

Local Focus: “It has no future here!” Colonial statue under fire again

Whanganui Iwi concerned about the "hurtful" message inscribed on Aotearoa's first war memorial.

Local Focus: 'The Tide' is changing how people get around town

Whanganui's new high-frequency bus service is changing habits.

Local Focus: Hobby horsing is not a joke

Inaugural 'Hooves on Drews' hobby horsing extravaganza was a surprise hit.

Local Focus: Is Whanganui ready for floods?

Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe and emergency manager Tim Crowe discuss emergency planning and climate change mitigation.

Road flooding

Flooding in around Parsons Street and Carlton Ave, Whanganui. Video / Bevan Conley

Local Focus: Is pay really the reason for hospo staffing shortages?

Differing opinions on hospo pay rates and whether training is needed to wait tables.

'I'm new to this' - Cricket at 150kmh

'I'm new to this' - Fast-paced bowling. Reporter Mike Tweed takes on the chance of batting against a cricket bowling machine at 150 kmh with help of Cricket Whanganui and it's General Manager Pete Bowman.

'I'm New To This' - Drum Lessons

'I'm New To This' Drum Lessons. Reporter Liz Wylie gets some drum lessons from Chester Nevil.

'I'm new to this' - Roller Hockey

'I'm New To This' - Roller Hockey. Mike Tweet takes on a lesson in roller hockey with NZ rep Dean Fitness.

Local Focus: Jars Local Cafe is open and serving not just planespotters

The Airport Cafe is back and Loulou Krebs hopes to make it a reason to go to the airport.

Local Focus: SPCA Masterton is having kittens

It's kitten season and SPCA Masterton needs your help.

Local Focus: Bikes, hikes, and silent nights - three weeks at That Place

Follow the Oskam family's journey as they prepare to reopen "That Place" for the summer mountain biking season.