We’re a non-profit group whose aims are to promote the Whanganui River

• To encourage interest in the many facets of the Whanganui River and its watershed and to promote public usage and guard its natural values.
• To provide information to the public at large on the Whanganui River.
• These objectives are to be carried out for the benefit of the people of New Zealand.
• No income or funds can be used for the personal benefit of members.

Any person or corporate body sympathetic towards the objectives of the Society shall be eligible for membership in the Society. Persons desiring to become members shall make an application along with the appropriate membership fee to the Society and must be approved by the majority of the Committee. 

The group is an incorporated society and has started a stall at the River Traders’ Saturday market which its runs fortnightly from November to the end of April.

The society publishes stories of the river in its River Annual every year and this is sent to all financial members as part of their subscription of $35 per year.

We have now created the schedule for the 2025 series of fortnightly film screenings at the Boyd’s Auto Barn Cinema and bookings for the films can be made here.

We hold frequent seminars, arrange public trips and also help with conservation efforts along the length of the river and are about to conduct a day trip into the Mangapurua Valley which you can book here.

With over 150 members from around New Zealand and the world, the group seeks to inspire more locals to join and learn about the river’s history.