New Zealand: Wanganui is a fantastic city

Wanganui may not be the first place visitors think of when planning their New Zealand adventure but the city is hoping that will soon change.

With a new marketing campaign entitled 'Discover Wanganui', the district council is aiming to highlight the many attractions the area has to boast, with plenty to please culture lovers and adventure sports enthusiasts alike.

While primarily aimed at domestic tourists, those on a New Zealand self-drive holiday may enjoy visiting somewhere which is off the usual tourist trail.

Mayor Michael Laws told Voxy.co.nz that Wanganui's attractions are both "diverse and unique".

He highlighted the PS Waimarie ship and the various adventure activities offered in the area as two of the city's biggest draws, while adding that it boasts a rich cultural heritage.

Riverboat tours were part of a once thriving tourism industry in Wanganui, with its river marketed as "The Rhine of New Zealand" in the early 1900s.