New Zealand funds investigation of former Whanganui landfill

The New Zealand government has allocated NZ$464,000 from the Contaminated Sites and Vulnerable Landfills Fund, together with additional funding from the Whanganui District Council, to investigate the former Balgownie Landfill in Whanganui. The landfill operated from 1956 to 1995, with some sections remaining active until 2001. Environment Minister Nicola Grigg said the study will assess contamination and leachate impacts on surrounding waterways and wetlands and identify long‑term remedial options. The investigation supports ongoing community‑led restoration, including the Kokohuia/Titoki Wetland project, and aims to protect the cultural and environmental values of the Whanganui catchment. Work began in June 2026 and is scheduled for completion by October 2027.