Whanganui is a city in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island, located on the west coast at the mouth of the Whanganui River, the country's longest navigable waterway. With a population of approximately 42,800 as of June 2025, it is the 19th most-populous urban area in New Zealand and the second-largest in its region. The city lies outside the main Auckland-Wellington transport corridor.
Whanganui was formerly New Zealand's fifth-largest urban area with a thriving port and diverse industries, but experienced economic decline in the post-World War II era. This long period of stagnation preserved many of its historic buildings, which might otherwise have been demolished. The city's architectural heritage includes the Opera House (opened 1900), the Sarjeant Gallery (1912), the Rutland Arms Inn from the mid-1800s, and the distinctive Durie Hill Tunnel, a 213-metre passageway with an underground elevator. The city has since recovered economically and developed a notable arts and cultural scene.
The Whanganui River holds spiritual significance for Māori communities and provides opportunities for riverside recreation including walking, cycling, and multi-day canoe trips through Whanganui National Park. Natural attractions include Castlecliff Beach, known for surfing, Bushy Park, a 100-hectare predator-free forest reserve featuring a rata tree reportedly the largest in New Zealand, and the scenic Whanganui River Road. The city also features the restored Waimarie Paddle Steamer (originally built 1902) and Cooks Gardens, where runner Peter Snell broke the world mile record in 1962.