Crowds of people have taken a behind-the-scenes look at Whanganui Port, ahead of its planned $50 million revamp.
It is the first community-led management project since the Whanganui River gained legal status as Te Awa Tupua.
Te Pūwaha meaning "gateway, or river mouth" is a collaboration of hapū representatives Te Mata Pūau, the region's local authorities, Q-West Boat Builders and the Whanganui Employment Training Trust.
Two derelict wharves will be demolished and rebuilt and Q-West will move into the Port Basin to create a boat building and servicing hub with ancillary businesses.
It will also ultimately include a flexible open space and an ecological river park.
Hayden Turoa is the project director. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Project director Hayden Turoa said the open day was about engaging with the community, one of the central kawa or protocols of Te Awa Tupua.
"The way that we are working with hapū, with iwi, with the community and with all of the project partners gives great satisfaction because we are living the kawa."
He said the level of interest had surprised him.
"I was blown away by the turnout today actually. It was an amazing crowd and people have come to give, so the generosity of our community is present and there's some very strong feelings because everyone has a long historic association with this place and to see it revamped and revitalised is really important."
Whanganui District Council project lead Rosemary Fletcher said although the revamp was expected to boost the economy - that was not its focus.
"Our focus is to enhance the awa with everything we do, so whilst we are building an infrastructure platform that will over time create economic growth and jobs, the key is that we've enhanced the environment."
Rosemary Fletcher from the Whanganui District Council is leading the project. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
The Provincial Growth Fund / Kānoa has contributed $27 million to the overall project.
Horizon's Regional Council is chipping in about $8m to refurbish the North Mole and build other river control infrastructure.
Rosemary Fletcher said the district council was outlaying about $12.5m to do some of the heavy lifting in the port area itself.
"We are rebuilding the wharf areas so we can facilitate the growth of a marine precinct. Q-West our commercial partner is relocating their boat building facility and creating a marine precinct predominately for the building and refit of vessels."
Q-West is stumping up about $10m and will be constructing new boat building sheds and is responsible for delivering a 380-tonne hoist.
Its boss Myles Fothergill spent the day outlining his plans to the public.
"We build lots of commercial boats, whale watch boats, police boats, pilot boats, ferries, so our ability to continue that and grow that business is critical, and the other component is refit and repairs and servicing and survey work, so the 380-tonne lift will give us considerable capacity."
A large crowd turned out for the open day. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
The port revamp was vital for Q-West, he said.
"This whole project is critical to my business both in terms of us moving here and having that ability for growth, but also the infrastructure around wharves to enable our customers to bring their boats here and for us to continue our operation."
Kahurangi Simon is a representative of the hapū grouping Te Mata Pūau.
He said the project was giving the local community a real lift.
"To see Castlecliff getting some love is absolutely awesome. You can see that the reinvigoration of the port has in some ways reinvigorated the people to have some pride in their place.
"To be able to be involved in how that might evolve and be developed it's marvellous really, absolutely wonderful."
The feedback from the public was mostly favourable.
Kahurangi Simon is a representative of the hapū grouping Te Mata Pūau. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Bruce Tonkin was a fan.
"It's all good, it's what we've been waiting and hoping for for a long time."
Brenan Tapa liked what he saw.
"It's a great thing for us here in Whanganui but not only in Whanganui for the whole west coast."
Meg could see the big picture.
"That they are creating things for people to do here as well work and recreation is a great idea."
Ken wasn't so keen.
"Why should the ratepayers cover a business, they should be doing it themselves."
Robert Cooper could see pitfalls.
"It's a hard road, mate, the biggest part of it is the dredging."
While Steve Monk was a fan of the style of consultation.
"This kind of concept of getting the local people in here to engage in it is just marvellous."
If all consents are granted work to begin building the wharfs could begin before the end of the year.
