Council backs community-led approach in Castlecliff
Published on 30 May 2023
Whanganui District Council’s elected representatives have endorsed the first stage of a community and hapū-led initiative to develop a consolidated vision for the Castlecliff coastline.
Through a series of workshops, Ngā Ringaringa Waewae will work firstly with hapū and then with the wider community to discuss the vision; it will include the North Mole aspirations developed as part of the Te Pūwaha project – including a new carpark and amenities – and the council’s coastal action plan work which is still in development.
Funding for the North Mole carpark is in the council’s Long-term Plan 2021-2031, but to date the council had not formulated a plan to take the project forward.
A funding and relationship agreement will be in place for each stage of the North Mole work; to progress to the next stage, the council will need to approve plans and check that adequate funding has been secured.
The proposal was brought to the council by local lawyer and community advocate, Jamie Waugh, who says Ngā Ringaringa Waewae, which means the hands and legs of hapū and the community, is a collective which sits under the umbrella of Progress Castlecliff and is directed by Te Mata Pūau as representatives of Whanganui hapū.
“The council’s support now for a community and hapū-led approach to delivery of the North Mole aspirations and coastal action plan is a credit to the transformational work by Whanganui hapū as part of the Te Pūwaha port revitalisation project and the Castlecliff community’s years of dedicated engagement.
“Progress Castlecliff, through Ngā Ringaringa Waewae, is looking forward to learning from the past to shape the future in a series of wananga (workshops) which will occur later this year.”
Once community workshops have been held, Ngā Ringaringa Waewae will report back to the council with a proposal for next steps and further detail on how the North Mole carpark and amenities could be funded.
Te Mata Pūau representative Hayden Turoa believes a community-led approach will ensure the North Mole and surrounding coastal area will bring immense pride to the community.
“With the North Mole structural works almost completed, it is time to consider how we can further enhance the space and shift it from an area which was somewhat neglected, to one all can enjoy.”
“To achieve that, Ngā Ringaringa Waewae is the logical next step, as it has evolved out of the connections between community and hapū when working together on Te Pūwaha, and will continue to be guided by Tupua Te Kawa from the Te Awa Tupua legislation.”
In 2022 the North Mole was identified as the most visited coastal site in Whanganui, with a conservative estimate of 250 people visiting the North Mole each day whether it’s for fishing, surfing, walking, horse riding or general enjoyment of the views. In 2021 Horizons Regional Council developed a concept plan for the North Mole and engineering plans have been developed for a raised carpark which offers views to the mountains, sea and awa.
Mayor Andrew Tripe says, “The power of a community-led project is visible for all to see with the unique and attractive landscaping implemented by Progress Castlecliff on Rangiora Street in recent years.
“We’re pleased to be able to empower community members who have ideas to make our great little city even better – when the council supports that kind of creativity and enthusiasm, it benefits our whole community. Hopefully this is a model of how we can implement community projects and initiatives into the future.”