Stories by Moana Ellis

A last-minute flood of nominations has filled every seat on Horizons Regional Council and district councils in Ruapehu, Whanganui and Rangitīkei - but not every vacancy will be contested.

With fewer than 24 hours before nominations for October's local body elections close, people are being encouraged to get their nominations in.

With just days to go, district councils in Whanganui, Ruapehu and Rangitīkei have not received enough nominations to fill their chambers.

Early stages of work on the Whanganui port upgrade are running over budget because of a new way of working under the legal status of the Whanganui River.

A singer-songwriter and educator is throwing his hat into the ring for the Whanganui mayoralty.

The impact of Māori mental wellbeing services and a community effort to prevent suicide in Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu left a visiting minister "quite emotional".

A district mayor says the local government sector is ready to launch into a future that embraces more youthful members, Māori and climate change action.

Elijah Pue Pue said his campaign would focus on economic development, the climate emergency and removing red tape to boost housing and community wellbeing.

A major new exhibition about the Whanganui River and its people opens on Monday, showcasing new taonga and ancient treasures from its previously unseen Taonga Māori collection.

Māori bread baked in Whanganui using a starter bug handed down over generations will feature on the world stage in a Unesco project.

Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe could become only the second Māori to take on the role of Speaker of the House.

A national science challenge study of Māori brain health will draw on whakairo (carving), karakia (prayer and incantation), mōteatea (chanted song-poetry) and other traditional sources to understand…

An iwi health research institute is calling for rongoā Māori to take its "rightful place" in the way Aotearoa cares for people.

A new mental health crisis response team will be established in Whanganui with $3.5 million from the Proceeds of Crime Fund.

The amount of cargo being shipped through Whanganui is set to triple with new investment to boost coastal shipping around the country.

A Māori public health advocate and researcher has become the first indigenous woman appointed to lead the World Federation of Public Health Associations.

Whanganui District Council has delegated the city's Mayor to lobby for a Green Party member's Bill to reduce alcohol harm.

Iwi say they are fed up with being wrongly accused of being a barrier to progress.

An Australian politician is consulting with iwi on how they gained the protection of legal personhood for the Whanganui River with the aim of extending protections across the ditch.

A Ruapehu District councillor says efforts will continue to put in place a plan for Three Waters reforms that protect property rights and community voice.

A central North Island iwi leader says hapū want their own authentic stories taught in the Aotearoa New Zealand histories curriculum.

A Whanganui iwi leader says the government's decision to ease Covid-19 measures at this time is a disgrace and shocking.

Historic sites in and around Tongariro National Park are to be restored by Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū as part of a new Jobs for Nature project.

The number of people with Covid-19 in Whanganui Hospital is climbing as the hospital also deals with a growing number of cases among staff.

Whanganui District Council's approach to climate change has helped the city win international recognition for the seventh time.