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Whanganui's Tupoho Whanau Trust and the Wanganui District Council have teamed up to run the city's port.
50:50 joint venture Whanganui Port Ltd will take over the lease of the wharves and adjacent areas once the council, completes a $1.5 million programme to upgrade the derelict and dangerous facilities.
The council bought back control of the port and harbour endowment lease from private company River City Port in 2010 for $2.75 million after years of legal wrangling over ownership.
Tupoho chair Ken Mair says it's a great opportunity to upgrade the port as well as ensure it stays in local hands.
Tupoho, who represent lower river hapu, already have a partnership with the council and Sustainable Whanganui to run a Resource Recovery Centre.
It also owns the former polytechnic complex, which is home to a number of community and iwi organisation.
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