It is the gateway to the North Island National Parks and ski fields. It is also close to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. Wanganui has a pleasant climate which helps to offer its residents an attractive lifestyle. Summers are warm and dry with temperatures ranging between 18 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Winters are mild with temperatures ranging between 4 to 14 degrees Celsius. Wanganui is culturally rich with an excellent art gallery, museum, opera house, community arts centre, library, and a cinema with three movie theatres. Wanganui offers a wide range of cultural and sporting opportunities as well as parks and historical places of interest.

Cooks Gardens
One of New Zealand’s leading outdoor sports venues includes a synthetic athletics track and the only wooden cycling velodrome in the country. This venue attracts world class athletes and riders to the city. Representative rugby games are played at Cooks Gardens during the winter months.

Springvale Park, Sports Stadiums and Splash Centre
A centrally located park and indoor pool complex is equipped with modern multi-use facilities
for a wide range of sports.

Whanganui River
Provides a source for recreation such as rowing, waterskiing, jetboating, canoeing, windsurfing
and jet skiing. The paddle steamer ‘Waimarie’ travels daily up the river.

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