Who we are

Sister of Jerusalem, Arthur Bates (founder), and Pam Kitson

Arthur Bates, a Whanganui historian, brought the original friends together in 1988 and how surprised they would have been, to know that one day in 2014, the River would be legally designated as a Person. That Person has been a good friend to local iwi for several centuries as well as to us newcomers!

Since 1989 the Friends of the Whanganui River have published the Whanganui River Annual. The memories, stories, and accounts of personal experiences on the river, of the history of the Maori and European settlements and farms, and of the riverboats, have made this a unique and valuable publication. With over 150 members, throughout New Zealand and overseas, their subscriptions along with donations and fundraising, have generated the financial support for its publication and various other projects on the river.

As well as the Annual, a number of trips are organised each year to various part’s of the river catchment, lectures or films are presented regularly as is a newsletter informing members of these upcoming activities and current happenings on the river. In the summer months, we have a stall at the popular Whanganui River Markets where we mix and mingle with locals and visitors alike sharing our experiences and selling merchandise that showcases the river.

By joining the Friends you can learn and support the rich history and diversity of this beautiful region and the influence of the mighty river on the lives of all who lived and worked along its route.

As To subscribe to the monthly newsletter that details our upcoming activities and presentations, click HERE.


Current Committee

Chair Alan Donald
Deputy Chair 
Secretary/Treasurer Graeme Moffatt
Editor Graeme Moffatt

Committee
Margo Luscombe

Robert Baldwin
Kevyn Collins
Brian Mosen