The confusion and uncertainty that had surrounded the New Zealand Company’s land purchases in Whanganui erupted into violence in the autumn and winter of 1847. The conflict here also involved longstanding rivalries between upper and lower Whanganui River Maori.
Whanganui settlers put up this statue to commemorate the 1864 battle of Moutoa Island, where local Maori defended Whanganui town against upriver Maori.
New Zealand music wouldn’t have been the same without Wanganui. It was at a pie cart in this North Island town in 1957 that New Zealand rock ’n’ roll was born.
Walter D'Arcy Cresswell alleged that Mayor Charles Mackay had made homosexual advances. Mackay was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 years' hard labour.
Widely considered one of the greatest middle distance runners of all time, Snell broke Herb Elliott's world record on grass at Cook's Gardens, Whanganui, covering the distance in 3 minutes 54.4 seconds.
