AWA FM

AWA FM is the sole Māori language radio station in the Whanganui area, offering listeners the opportunity to engage with and immerse themselves in the Whanganui language and culture.

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Articles

Ruapehu mayoralty: Challengers emerge, Kirton yet to confirm

1 week ago | awafm.co.nz | Moana Ellis

By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy ReportingTwo contenders for the Ruapehu mayoralty are calling for change as the district’s incumbent mayor weighs his future. Ruapehu district councillors Lyn Neeson and Fiona Kahukura Hadley-Chase have announced they will contest the Ruapehu mayoralty in this year’s local body elections. Neeson, in her seventh year on the council, announced her candidacy for the October elections at this week’s Ruapehu Federated Farmers AGM.
Thinking of standing? First Māori seats in spotlight ahead of council elections

1 week ago | awafm.co.nz | Moana Ellis

By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy ReportingAn information evening for people thinking about standing in this year’s local body elections will have a strong focus on the Whanganui’s first two Māori ward seats. The October elections will be the first time Māori voters will have the option of voting in councillors for the district’s new Māori ward. Whanganui District Council will hold a candidate information evening at Te Ao Hou Marae on Friday 16 May at 5.15pm.
‘We’re grown adults’: Raetihi recycling bins set to stay – for now - AWA FM

1 week ago | awafm.co.nz | Moana Ellis

By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy ReportingA decision by a community board to bin a well-used recycling station in a small rural town has been revoked despite “outrageous” unbudgeted costs. The Waimarino-Waiouru Community Board last night (Thursday) quashed a resolution it made in October last year to disestablish the Raetihi Recycling Station. The six bins occupying a small site on State Highway 4 were installed for tourist use but have been overwhelmed by waste left by the community.
Decision to shut overused recycling station under review after fiery backlash

1 week ago | awafm.co.nz | Moana Ellis

By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy ReportingA community board’s decision to close a heavily-used recycling facility in Raetihi is back on the table after a public outcry. The decision could be quashed this week following a recommendation for the Waimarino-Waiouru Community Board to revoke a resolution to disestablish the Raetihi Recycling Station.
Who are the chosen 40? Whanganui council shields citizens’ assembly

1 week ago | awafm.co.nz | Moana Ellis

By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy ReportingA democracy experiment in Whanganui begins under wraps tonight as the city’s hired pool panel meets behind closed doors. Whanganui District Council is keeping secret the identities of the 40 residents selected for its inaugural citizens’ assembly, and there will be no public access to the five meetings.
Ruapehu council probes $700k overspend on parks and reserves

2 weeks ago | awafm.co.nz | Moana Ellis

By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy ReportingThe Ruapehu mayor has launched an independent investigation into a “significant overspend” on council parks, reserves and walking tracks. Ruapehu District councillors were left with “no choice” two weeks ago but to debt-fund a $700,000 blow-out of the council’s community and recreational facilities budget. A report to councillors said the portfolio’s budgeted maintenance costs of $2.01 million to February 2025 were $480,000 over budget.
Minister directs Health NZ to revive stalled Waimarino Wellness Centre in Raetihi

1 month ago | awafm.co.nz | Moana Ellis

By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy ReportingThe Health Minister has directed Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora to prioritise and accelerate work on a rural health centre in the central North Island, following a local mayor’s demand for action. Minister Simeon Brown said work on the new Waimarino Wellness Centre in Raetihi would be accelerated.
‘Left high and dry’: Ruapehu mayor demands answers over delays to rural health centre

1 month ago | awafm.co.nz | Moana Ellis

By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy ReportingA rural community is demanding answers and action from Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora over delays in building a long-promised rural health centre. Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says his community is being stonewalled as inquiries about the planned Waimarino Wellness Centre in Raetihi go unanswered. “One thing about rural New Zealand, it seems to be easy picking for the Government to put these things on hold,” Kirton said.
Rangitīkei and Ruapehu eye 9% rate hikes, Whanganui 2.2%

1 month ago | awafm.co.nz | Moana Ellis

By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy ReportingRangitīkei and Ruapehu ratepayers could face rate rises of around 9 percent in the year ahead while their Whanganui neighbours are contemplating a bump of just 2.2 percent. Rangitīkei is proposing an average rate rise of 9.1 percent – slightly less than expected – while Ruapehu is sticking with the 9 percent increase it signalled in its long-term plan for 2024-34 (LTP) – “the bare minimum required”.
‘If it gets here, it’s too late’: Warning against invasive clam

1 month ago | awafm.co.nz | Moana Ellis

By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy ReportingWhanganui River iwi are banding together with councils, the Department of Conservation and others to avert a potential bio-security disaster. They say only a coordinated, focused and urgent response can prevent the highly invasive freshwater gold clam, Corbicula fluminea, from entering the catchment. Scientists warn that without intervention, large-scale invasion could cause significant and irreversible economic, social, cultural and ecosystem losses.