The Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust Board was established in 2011 to continue and develop the work formerly undertaken by the Whanganui Branch of New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

Our objectives are to:

• promote the identification, protection and conservation of the historical and cultural and architectural heritage of the Whanganui region which comprises the Wanganui, Rangitikei and Ruapehu districts;
• inform, advise and educate the general public, planners and decision makers, property owners and occupiers of the significance of the local heritage and historic places within the Whanganui Region;
• involve the local community in the Whanganui Region, including local heritage organisations, in the work of the Trust and assist them to achieve mutual objectives, including by means of training and the provision of advice, as practicable;
• secure funds, by means of donations and other fundraising activities, to provide financial assistance to those involved with the conservation of the local heritage and historic places within the Whanganui region, as required;
• conserve, restore and maintain, by purchase, lease or gift, property of heritage importance including places which, once restored, could be sold or leased to provide funds for additional restoration projects.

The Trust’s activities are managed by the Trust Board, the members of which have a wide range of experience within the heritage sector: