Wanganui is a place steeped in history, art and culture. Big enough to draw crowds and small enough to be intimate. There is something here for everyone. The region is surrounded by the Mount Taranaki, Mount Ruapehu and Mount Tongariro landscapes and dramatic west coast beaches. The region is known for its outstanding natural environment with the Wanganui Awa (River) at its heart-the second largest river in the North Island The vibrant community prides itself on an abundance of creativity and has a strong industry base, with a number of manufacturing and engineering operations.