Climate resilience funding boost for Whanganui Port’s South Mole works
21 Oct 2025
By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporter
Whanganui’s Te Pūwaha port revitalisation project has received $7.875 million from the government’s Climate Resilience Fund to support the next phase of restoration at the South Mole.
The co-investment, totalling $13.135 million between central government and Horizons Regional Council, is to strengthen flood resilience and coastal protection in the Whanganui catchment.
The funding will enable the South Mole restoration and resilience upgrade works to be completed sooner.
Te Pūwaha project director Hayden Turoa said the funding announcement reinforced the strength of the project’s collaborative approach.
“Te Pūwaha is built on partnership. This investment reflects not only confidence in the project’s outcomes, but also the collective effort between hapū, Horizons, central government, and our wider project partners,” Turoa said.
“It’s been an incredibly busy time at the port, and the mahi we are all continuing to deliver is helping ensure the Lower Whanganui remains resilient and thriving for future generations.”
The first phase of works began earlier this year, with the Tanea Groyne now 50 metres in length and the South Mole embankment built to a height of 2.3 metres. This phase is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Phase two will see the South Mole extended to its full length at a height of 2.3 metres, along with works to improve resilience upstream of the Tanea Groyne on the South Spit.
Design and consents are in place for the first component of this newly funded works programme to get underway.
The cost share for the South Mole restoration will be based on a 60 percent government contribution and 40 percent local contribution, with the local share funded via Horizons’ Lower Whanganui Scheme.
Horizons Regional Council group manager of catchment operations, Dr Jon Roygard, said work was underway to establish the new project, including seeking the recently elected council’s input.
“Our partnership with Kānoa and the positive working relationship across project partners have been invaluable,” Roygard said.
“Together, we’re building resilience along our awa while enabling the community to be a part of the journey.”
The announcement comes as the project team prepares to host a community day from 11am to 2.30pm at South Beach on Saturday, 1 November, inviting the public to tour the works, meet project partners, and learn more about how Te Pūwaha is restoring and protecting Whanganui’s working port and river mouth.
4WD tours will take groups out to the South Mole, big machines will be on show, and there will be a free sausage sizzle.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
print this story
Government running out of time to lock in LNG import terminal deal before election
Thu 16 Jul 2026
By Oli Lewis | Procurement for a floating LNG import terminal in Taranaki is well advanced, the Government says, but the clock is ticking to sign contracts before the election.
Pacific coral reefs face mounting climate threat – experts
Thu 16 Jul 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Coral reef scientists are warning that climate change is accelerating the decline of reef ecosystems across the Pacific, with rising ocean temperatures, marine heatwaves and sea-level rise threatening both biodiversity and the communities that depend on them.
Rich nations inflate climate finance as NZ urged to act
Thu 16 Jul 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Rich countries have overstated the value of climate finance delivered to developing nations by around US$100 billion in 2024, Oxfam says. The non-profit is urging New Zealand to increase its climate finance while applauding the country's strategy of allocating finance as grants rather than loans.
Climate law introduced requiring adaptation plans and reducing Commission's role
Wed 15 Jul 2026
By Oli Lewis | The Government has introduced legislation to amend the Climate Change Response Act (CCRA), which includes stripping the Climate Change Commission of one of its core roles, adds a new requirement for councils to produce adaptation plans for higher-risk areas, and updates ETS settings.
Clock ticks on Gas Security Fund as Tariki developer reports ongoing losses
Wed 15 Jul 2026
By Oli Lewis | A Canadian company advancing a major gas storage project in New Zealand continues to report ongoing losses.
Planetary Facts dashboard aims to make environmental costs visible
Wed 15 Jul 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Consumers can now compare the environmental impacts of everyday products with a new online dashboard designed to do for sustainability what nutrition labels have long done for food.
Climate change is here and we’re all paying for it
Wed 15 Jul 2026
By Raewyn Peart | COMMENT: Another week, another storm. Just days ago, Kaikōura saw two months of rain fall within 48 hours, the most recent in a long line of adverse weather events.
Quarry land swap gains habitats, loses area for rare native trees
Wed 15 Jul 2026
By Justin Wong, Local Democracy Reporter | A proposed land swap could add better-quality natural habitats to the public conservation estate but at the expense of handing over parts of Belmont Regional Park that features rare native trees to expand Lower Hutt’s Belmont Quarry, according to a Department of Conservation (DOC) report.
What’s next for Sams Creek after failed mining bid?
Wed 15 Jul 2026
Max Frethey, Local Democracy Reporter | A controversial gold mining application at Sams Creek has been declined, leaving question marks hanging over the future of the land.
Climate remains top priority for Pacific leaders
Tue 14 Jul 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Major regional events in Vanuatu and Fiji this month have underscored the Pacific's continued focus on climate action, with locally led innovation and sustainable farming highlighted as critical tools for tackling the region's environmental challenges.
