By the Explore Whanganui news desk · Published Thursday 12 November 2026
Whanganui District Council's summer roading programme is under way, with around 27km of streets and roads set for new surfaces, strengthening or rebuilding. Some of the work will be done at night.
- When
- October 2026 to March 2027, weather permitting
- Where
- More than 50 streets and roads across the district
- Funding
- 62% from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, the rest from the council's roading budget
- What to do
- Watch for a council letter or notice, and check the Antenno app for updates
The work covers more than 50 streets and roads, according to the council’s summer roading programme page, and runs from October 2026 to March 2027. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is paying 62 percent, and the council’s roading budget covers the rest. The Whanganui Alliance is doing the work.
Which roads are on the list
Most sites are chipseal reseals, a fresh waterproof layer with stone chips for roads that are still sound underneath. The reseal list includes Glasgow, London, Ballance, Kitchener, Karaka, Totara and Tongariro streets, Gonville Avenue, Somme Parade, Heads Road, Mosston Road, Springvale Road and Matarawa Valley Road, and a range of other streets and roads around the district.
Bigger rebuilds are planned for St Hill Street, Hereford Street and Rapanui Road, and the Duncan Street roundabout and the Parsons Street/Grey Street roundabout are getting a thicker structural asphalt.
Night-time asphalt work is listed for Glasgow Street and the Victoria Avenue/Ingestre Street, Heads Road/Gilberd Street, Beach Street/Heads Road and Cross Street/Heads Road intersections. Portal Street is getting a thin protective surface called microsurfacing.
Why summer, and why these roads
Summer is when most of this happens because chipseal and asphalt only set well in warm, dry conditions. Each road is ranked on its state after inspections, how much and what kind of traffic it carries, safety, and its place in the wider network.
Catching a road early, before damage spreads to the layers below, costs less than a full rebuild later. “Getting the right treatment on the right road at the right time helps us make the best use of the funding available and extend the life of the network,” council transportation manager Mark Allingham said in the council’s release.
Mayor Andrew Tripe said funding is getting tighter: “We can’t do everything, so we must prioritise what is affordable, reflects the condition of our infrastructure and delivers the greatest value for our community.”
What to expect
Expect temporary closures, lane closures, detours, lower speed limits and changes to property access while crews are on site. Loose chip can stay on a new reseal for a while, so slow down and take care braking and turning.
The council aims to tell directly affected residents and businesses a week or more ahead, but weather can change the schedule at short notice.
If work is planned near you, read any letter you get, plan ahead for deliveries and visitors, and check the free Antenno app for the latest changes.
- Whanganui District Council: Major summer investment in Whanganui roads gets underway, released 10 November 2026
- Whanganui District Council: Summer roading programme 2026-2027 (road list), released 10 November 2026
Explore Whanganui news desk: news@explorewhanganui.co.nz. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we’ll correct it.
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