Whanganui River - Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand - National Wild and Scenic Rivers on Waymarking.com

The Whanganui River is the focal point for Whanganui National Park and is the only one of New Zealand's nine Great Walks that is on water.

The Whanganui River winds its way from the mountains to the Tasman Sea through countless hills and valleys. Lowland forest surrounds the river in its middle and lower reaches - the heart of Whanganui National Park (established in 1986).

Tramping tracks through wild lowland forests and river trips down the mighty Whanganui are popular activities. The area has a unique history and Maori culture is an important part of the park experience.

The significance of the river was recognized in 2012 when, in a landmark preliminary agreement between the Crown government of New Zealand and the Whanganui River iwi, the Whanganui River was granted legal personhood status. The agreement extends rights and standing as a person for the Whanganui River. The agreement recognizes the river and all its tributaries as a single entity, Te Awa Tupua, and makes it a legal entity with rights and interests, and the owner of its own river bed. Two guardians, one from the Crown and one from a Whanganui River iwi, will be given the role of protecting the river. Once the details of the agreement are complete, the iwi and government officials will serve as legal custodians as legal guardians represent children today.

Number of WILD miles: 145 km is the length of the Whanganui River Great Walk Number of SCENIC miles: 145 km is the length of the Whanganui River Great Walk Number of RECREATIONAL miles: 145 km is the length of the Whanganui River Great Walk River Link: [Web Link] Support documentation: [Web Link] WILD: Not Listed SCENIC: Not Listed RECREATIONAL: Not Listed

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Date Logged Log   01/06/2014 Punga and Paua visited it