The Wanganui District was first settled by Maori, who were attracted by the Whanganui River in its sheltered fertile valley with an abundant food supply. Flowing 290 kilometres, the river starts high up on Mt Tongariro in the centre of the North
Island, moving down towards Wanganui via Taumarunui before it reaches
the beautiful Tasman Sea on the west coast.
Kupe, the legendary discoverer of New Zealand, is given the credit for
finding the Whanganui River, though it was Tamatea, Captain of the
Takitimu Canoe, who was the first to fully explore the region. Early
settlement came soon after, by the descendants of the Aotea Canoe .
The area around the mouth of the Whanganui River was a major site of pre-European settlement. When the city of Wellington was established it became an important centre for trade. With the increased number of European settlers arriving in the country, it became a logical site for the establishment of a new town. Around 1840 the New Zealand Company began settlement in the area. By 1860 a population of approximately 2000 had settled in Wanganui.
The early years of the new town were problematic. Purchase of land
from the local tribes had been haphazard and irregular, and as such
many Māori were angered with the influx of Pakeha (Non-Maori)
onto land that they still claimed. It was not until the town had been
established for eight years that agreements were finally reached
between the colonials and local tribes.
Wanganui grew rapidly after this time, with land being cleared for pasture.
The Whanganui River
catchment is seen as a sacred area to Māori. In 1995 Moutua Gardens in Wanganui, known to local Māori as Pakaitore, were occupied for 79 days in a mainly peaceful protest by the local iwi over land claims.
Today Wanganui and the Whanganui River provide a home for a multitude of
lifestyle activities for locals and tourists.
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