Mark Petersen says completion of the entire port project may extend beyond 2026. Photo / Supplied
Mark Petersen says completion of the entire port project may extend beyond 2026. Photo / Supplied
Contamination continues to hamper the Whanganui Port redevelopment, with an extra $1.213 million spent in the last financial year.
Whanganui Port Limited Partnership (WPLP) chairman Mark Petersen said the organisation acknowledged an increase in project costs.
“Managing contamination is essential for protecting the environment, workers, and the public, and ismandated under resource management and health and safety legislation, which both the partnership and the Te Pūwaha project team must comply with,” he said.
The extra costs meant the port reported a loss of $205,000 for 2024-25.
In June, the Chroniclereported that erosion and contamination issues had forced a project reshuffle, with the renewal of Wharf 3, originally scheduled to be completed last, beginning that month.
It is the Whanganui District Council’s part of Te Pūwaha, the Whanganui Port revitalisation project, also involving the Horizons Regional Council, Q-West Boat Builders, the Whanganui District Employment Training Trust and hapū collective Te Mata Pūau.
The port infrastructure project, including the overall budget, was under review “as we work to manage risks such as contamination”, Petersen said.
“The results of this review will be presented to Whanganui District Council early next year.”
Contaminated materials stockpiled at the port last year. Photo / Mike Tweed
Last November, Petersen told the Chronicle there had been a delay of about six months as workers removed or contained asbestos and hydrocarbons.
He said contaminated materials removed from the site were stockpiled under geotextile fabric, with “a fair chunk” sent to Bonny Glen, the landfill site near Turakina.
Petersen’s annual WPLP report for 2024-25 said that, while ground contamination on port developments such as these was typical, the extent and the impact of the issue had exceeded expectations.
The report said the port’s property portfolio increased in value by $615,000 in 2024-25, from $30.665m to $31.28m.
A review of the properties was expected to be completed next year, it said.
“The purpose of the review is to evaluate performance and strategy for each asset, including potential divestment of poor-performing assets and those public good and iwi-sensitive assets that are more suited to ownership by the Whanganui District Council.”
A letter of expectation from the council to the port for July 2026 to June 2027 said there should be a “no surprises” approach to its operations.
“With timely and transparent communication to the mayor and council’s chief executive regarding any significant issues, emerging risks or matters that may impact the reputation of the WPLP, the council or its stakeholders, perceived or otherwise,” it said.
The letter said the council’s vision was that by 2034, the port and marine precinct would “be a vibrant industry hub and the port of choice for boat maintenance”, driving sub-businesses and delivering jobs and returns for the region.
A draft statement of intent from the port must be received by the council on or before February 10, 2026.
Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present, his focus is local government, primarily the Whanganui District Council.
