The Whanganui District Council, formerly spelled Wanganui District Council, is the territorial authority for Whanganui District, New Zealand, comprising the city of Whanganui and its surrounding areas.
The council is made up of a mayor and 12 councillors, all elected at-large. They are elected using a first-past-the-post system in triennial elections, with the most recent elections having been held in 2022.
The current mayor is .
History
Local government in Whanganui began with the creation of the Wanganui Town Board, within Wellington Province, in 1862. Following the abolishment of the Wellington Province, Wanganui County was founded in 1876.
The town board was elevated to a borough council in 1872, and then to a city council in 1924 following amalgamation with the town boards of Wanganui East, Gonville and Castlecliff.
Wanganui District Council formed after the 1989 local government reforms with the amalgamation of the Wanganui City Council with the Wanganui County Council.
In 2015, the spelling of the district was changed from Wanganui District to Whanganui District following a request from the council.
In October 2023 the council voted to establish a Māori ward for the 2025 and 2028 local elections.
Composition Councillors The elected mayor and councillors provide governance for the city by setting the policy direction of the council, monitoring its performance, representing the city's interests, and employing the Chief Executive.
The Chief Executive runs the everyday business of the council. The Chief Executive is currently David Langford.
+ Whanganui District Council, 2025–2028 Position Name Ticket (if any)MayorAndrew TripeLet’s keep Whanganui moving forwardDeputy MayorMichael Law IndependentCouncillor Philippa Baker-HoganRatepayer & Sport FocusedCouncillor Glenda BrownIndependentCouncillor Josh Chandulal-MackayA New Generation of LeadershipCouncillor Ross FallenIndependentCouncillor Mike HosA voice for our city’s futureCouncillor Kate JoblinIndependentCouncillor Michael LawIndependentCouncillor Charlotte MelserIndependentCouncillor Peter OskamCommunity before CoinCouncillor Rob VinsenRatepayer FocusedMāori WardJulie HerewiniIndependentMāori WardGeoff HipangoIndependent
Community board
The council has created a local community board, under the provisions of Part 4 of the Local Government Act 2002, to represent the district's rural community. The Whanganui Rural Community Board consists of seven elected members.
The community board is intended to represent and advocate for the interests of the rural community.
+ Whanganui Rural Community Board, 2022–2025 Name Subdivision PositionDavid WellsWhanganuiBoard chairJudd BaileyKaitokeDeputy chairJenny TamakehuWhanganuiMemberMichael DickKai IwiMemberGrant SkiltonKai IwiMemberBrian DoughtyKai IwiMemberBill AshworthKaitokeMember
Civic symbols Logo The Whanganui district council logo was revealed to the public on 28 January 2026 at a cost of $116,899. Research conducted in early 2025 found about 60% of local residents could not recall the council crest and many did not understand what services and responsibilities the council provides. The main reasoning for the rebrand is the goal consolidating the 20 separate brand identities and costing savings by using a simple single colour logo.
Coat of arms Wanganui City Council was granted a Coat of Arms in 1955. The Whanganui District Council has adopted the use of these arms as memorial bearings. The blazon for the arms is:
Flag
The current flag of the Whanganui District Council was adopted in 2015 for use during formal occasions and to be display in the council chamber and outside the council offices. The flag consists of the coat of arms with the Māori and English names of the council beneath it in white, all on a blue field.
See also Territorial authorities bordering Whanganui District Council: South Taranaki District Council Stratford District Council Ruapehu District Council Rangitikei District Council Horizons Regional Council – the regional council covering Whanganui District
References
External links Official website