“Where our Awa meets the ocean we are waiting as hapū at the mighty confluence. This is our place, our whenua.”
— Matt
Kōrero
We have invited the community to share with us their aspirations for the future of Te Kaihau o Kupe | Castlecliff
Here they are in their own words.
A place where all beings are empowered to live healthy, fulfilling lives, indivisibly connected to each other and nature.
– Jamie
Where our Awa meets the ocean we are waiting as hapū at the mighty confluence. This is our place, our whenua. Everything upstream from us at Te Pūwaha has consequence. Under Te Awa Tupua Act 2017 we have a clear mandate to control our own destiny. We are the first community to do this and we will show Whanganui, the wider Whanganui Region, and the rest of Aotearoa how we do things around here so they can also learn. Iwi and community at the centre of everything. The community working as one. – Matt
I would like to see Castlecliff as part of a whole river bioregional community based on tupua te kawa from the mountain to the sea.
– Michelle
I would like to see native coastal forest revived from the mole to Longbeach.
– Elana
To integrate the impact of human settlement and the natural coastal environment into a balanced partnership while preserving the indigenous and social culture in this beautiful suburb of Castlecliff. – Jason
I'd love to see a port with a marina, a coastal reserve that excludes commercial fishing. – Geordie
For Castlecliff to be beautiful, lush and loved from the first "entry point" to the end with connections via pedestrian crossings, bike paths, nature corridors etc from the beach all the way up to the schools and shops... connected so everyone can walk, cycle etc and feel that they are joined by a community thread that can be seen and felt wherever you are in Castlecliff. A revitalisation of the beach front area (less grey) and some seats by the sea and across the grass reserves to just sit and soak in the view would be great too, make it a useable space for everyone regardless of the activity type they do or the level of mobility they have. – Briar
Clean... clean... clean Castlecliff | Te Kaihau o Kupe. OUR Rangatahi / Mokopuna of all races living together in harmony and peace. Learning / Education plants. Pingao planting. Lupins, Spinifex.
– June
It would be great to have a cycleway from the North Mole to Kai Iwi beach above the cliffs. A replanting of the reserves to create a mini coastal forest from Bamber St to Ngaio St. Relocating Duncan Pavillion to the sand dune carpark above the playground, so that it's more resilient to rising sea levels and can be lit up as a central beacon visible across the whole suburb. And would love to see further expansion of the hub around the Citadel so that there are more opportunities for locals to learn, connect and buy local. Maybe a mini campus for remote courses etc? And a collective arts/crafts/product shop for locals to sell things? Castlecliff has such a strong foundation of awesome stuff to keep adding to! – Alex
Tamariki to be happy and enjoy the beach and community. Whanau to come together and share aspirations with their community.
– Kiwi
A community where all give a little so that all receive enough. Where all feelings of connection are honoured, respected, and encouraged. A place where wellness can be seen in a flourishing environment and community. – Mikisu
I live further up the coast at the river mouth of the Tuki Tuki on Te Matau a Maui and I have only visited the settlement at Castlecliff a couple of times and so my understanding is limited but my sense it is that the place is very different than anywhere else and the difference is stand out special, not only in landscape, seascape but also in personality and character as there seemed to be a positive energy there that connecting people to place with a kiwi spirit. The words below remind me of what NZ had but has unfortunately lost but maybe could be Castlecliff?
We re the boldest little country on the planet, with one of the biggest hearts in the world. We're spirited, switched on, often incredible and always credible. Borne from the youngest, most beautitul land on earth. Our attitude is unbound. Our responsibility as Kaitiaki drives our care of people and place. Resourceful thinkers, game changers, day–makers smilegenerators. We're still changing peoples worlds. Because we didn't know we couldn't. – Scott
I tautoko all the kōrero and suggestions but what about a communal māra kai, pātaka kai, and kaupapa that create connection, whanaungatanga and support oranga of the community. Potential short term goals. – Tania
Restoration, improvement and development of a functioning Port, regeneration of commercial activity in Castlecliff, sustainable development of cultural and recreational amenities in the Suburb. Improvement of all access routes to Castlecliff. – Colin
I'd like to see a new grocery selling affordable and healthy, locally grown and made produce. – Kit
Litter free coastline which is safe for birds nesting in dunes. Individual street scapes (berms used as rewilding areas or vege patches) to encourage community building. Safe, affordable and regular farmers market on Rangiora St. Affordable, warm and tidy social housing options. Expansion of the Summer Daze events, great way to gather locals and visitors to a vibrant, safe and friendly event. Rangiora St hub to grow and develop with more local artisans and makers or growers in residence. Relocate or rebuild Duncan Pavillion/Surf Club Rooms to combine a club and community space for private hire and for use by the Board Riders Club, Fishing, Coastal Care and the Surf Life Saving Club. We need to draw more awesome people with opportunities to utilise unique spaces in our wee burb.
– Jacqui & Alan
I would love to see more community activities utilising Castlecliff beach ie driftwood sculptures, the dig (looking for sticks that holds prizes) maybe school kids paint mural on concrete wall dividing carpark and beach. Surfing classes Basketball comp etc. Yoga or fitness classes held at beach than coffee at citidal. A little food caravan at park or beach (chips, iceblocks an drinks) art classes at pavillion. Community coming together. – Karen
I would like to see Whanganui advertising itself as a seaside town. Castlecliff is far prettier than the river! Also a shop at the buildings by the beach so that you can buy an ice cream and a drink and some hot chips and sauce. I'd also love to see conservation classes offered to teach people, kids and adults how to save our coastline. – Kayleigh