Te Pūwaha: co-design at the mouth of the awa

More than a port revitalisation, Te Pūwaha is an example of co-design in action. It is the first major infrastructure project in Aotearoa to be shaped under the legal framework of Te Awa Tupua. This means it is guided by the values of Tupua te Kawa, as every decision reflects a collective responsibility to the river, the environment, and future generations.

What makes Te Pūwaha special is not just what is being built but how it is being delivered. Central government, local government, iwi, business, and the community have come together in a values-based partnershipmthat decentralises power and centres relationships. Whanganui hapū, through Te Mata Pūau, hold a leadership role alongside Whanganui District Council, Horizons Regional Council, Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, Q-West Boat Builders, Whanganui Port, Whanganui District Employment Training Trust, and community partners. The result is a shared vision that balances economic development with cultural integrity, environmental restoration, and social wellbeing.

With over $87 million invested, the project is securing the Whanganui Port as a community asset for the next 50 years. Just as importantly, it is creating a world-class marine precinct, retaining and generating high value jobs in the marine and engineering sectors, protecting critical river infrastructure, and restoring historic wharves. Te Pūwaha also offers meaningful opportunities for businesses and investors to engage in a growing marine and engineering hub, one that values innovation, sustainability, and long-term impact.

Te Pūwaha demonstrates that, when design is led by values and shaped
through partnership, it can deliver outcomes that are economically
resilient, culturally grounded, and environmentally responsible. It is a
powerful example of Whanganui’s City of Design story.