Ways to put Wanganui on the map

MEDIA GURU: Kathy Cunningham says Wanganui is a great secret that needs to get out to the rest of New Zealand and has plenty of events and buildings to be proud of. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY 240815WCBRCPRO01

Wanganui can do several things to put itself on the map and telling people outside the region how good we are is the way to start, a public relations consultant says.

Kathy Cunningham, of Empire PR, told 120 business owners and educators at Whanganui UCOL this week at a forum titled, "Putting Whanganui on the Map", that several local events, heritage projects, business ventures and buildings would be attractive to people outside the city.

"Yes, there are 35 empty shops but the precinct could be livened up by getting school groups to come and decorate empty shops and have live events with buskers and street performers.

"You have art deco buildings here to rival Napier - that it is something that should be promoted, and the Sarjeant Gallery is a such a unique and special building."

Ms Cunningham was introduced by UCOL dean Tony Gan and Adrian Dixon, of Whanganui and Partners.

Mr Dixon described her as a "media guru" who had done brilliant work with organisations such as Riding for the Disabled and KidsCan, and had won many awards.

Ms Cunningham also named the Cemetery Circuit as an event Wanganui could be proud of and added Q-West in Castlecliff had a reputation as a first-rate boatbuilder and there was potential for more water and air events.

"Air events are quite prevalent around New Zealand, but if you work around the calendar of other events, it's another possibility," she said.

"You have good participation from people who live here, but it's about attracting people from other places."

Wanganui photographer Gail Imhoff said she was disappointed Ms Cunningham had not mentioned Vintage Weekend and the Artists' Open Studios as significant Wanganui events.

Having visited Wanganui for the first time in January, Ms Cunningham said she had no idea what a "wonderful place" it was. "I wondered why it had taken me so long to get here, and I guess I just didn't know what it had to offer."

Ms Cunningham moved to New Zealand from New York 24 years ago with a decade of experience in public relations.

"I thought everyone would want me but, without local knowledge or reputation, I wasn't able to find work so I founded my own company."

While preparing for the forum, Ms Cunningham said she consulted several people about Wanganui, including journalist Duncan Garner, who had upset a people with negative comments about the city's empty shops.

However, she said he was complimentary about Wanganui education and said it was a place with "world class schools".

Whanganui Hospital also rated a mention for its research on elder care and Ms Cunningham said if leading edge care was available, Wanganui could become an attractive retirement place.

Ms Cunningham hopes to open an ongoing discussion and debate and welcomes emails to kathy@empirepr.co.nz