My Home Town Whanganui Interview - Kerry Trent Ranginui
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Kerry Trent Ranginui is a Whanganui born and formally trained fashion designer who lives in Auckland and works as Head Pattern Maker for International fashion designer Karen Walker. Kerry was also a contestant on New Zealand's first series of Project Runway.
Since studying fashion in Wanganui 10 years ago, Kerry has spent many years dedicated to the fashion industry working in all fields from tailoring ands mens wear to bespoke Bridal. Pattern making and pattern manipulation is one of my biggest passions and my long term plan is to move back to Wanganui eventually and teach Fashion. Kerry spends most of the year in Auckland with small trips home through out the year for community based work such as Pride week and Wanganui Vintage Month. |
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Tell us a little about your home town... what was it like growing up in Whanganui and how has it changed?
I grew up at Castlecliff beach and we had a very surf and turf lifestyle (i.e. beach life to rural life). My passion for fashion started at Whanganui High School, they had extremely talented food and fabric teachers who encouraged me to follow my dreams. With a lack of decent fabric supply, studying in Whanganui made me very resourceful and I self-taught myself a lot of fabric crafts. I learned to knit and crochet and how to dye my own fabrics.
One of the main things that remains the same in Whanganui is the beautiful historic buildings that make up the main street (Victoria Ave). After the revamp in 1990, it has been a beautiful street to walk up and I love when it's in bloom. Whanganui has the perfect balance of historic and modern and it boasts a very competitive café scene. Its also an incredibly culturally diverse town.
What does your perfect Whanganui day include?
My perfect day in Wanganui includes all the following...
Can you share a secret home town spot with us?
One of my favourite oldest places to go is the William Birch Pools just outside of town near Maxwell. My parents use to take me there in the early 90’s when it was still functioning as a swimming pool. It was a beautiful huge natural water pool that was filled by a stream. I remember the pool being packed with locals as a child was a great treat on hot days felt like a scene from a French movie.
It still remains a great area to stop for a picnic and bush walk, and view the historic pool areas. Its very easy to imagine what it would have looked like in its heyday, it's a great slice of history from the area.
Why should people visit Whanganui?
It's a wonderful mix of historical and modern and is one of few areas of our country that has coastal, urban, residential, rural, river side and civic, all in one place.
The town has two iconic towers on its river side hill tops, as well as a very rare elevator that takes you to the top for a coin fee. And the Whanganui River is an amazing feature that winds through the township. Many of the town's historic features are a walking distance from the main street.
Where do you take out-of-towners when they visit?
I always take my out of town friends to Bason Botanic Reserve for a day picnic. There are huge gardens indoors and out, huge lawned areas for you to set up and play some back yard cricket or croquet. Multiple bush walks, and free BBQ areas. It’s a fabulous place gifted by the Bason Family for everybody to enjoy. ALSO FREE!!!
What's your favourite free thing to do in Whanganui?
I have two favourite free things...
I grew up at Castlecliff beach and we had a very surf and turf lifestyle (i.e. beach life to rural life). My passion for fashion started at Whanganui High School, they had extremely talented food and fabric teachers who encouraged me to follow my dreams. With a lack of decent fabric supply, studying in Whanganui made me very resourceful and I self-taught myself a lot of fabric crafts. I learned to knit and crochet and how to dye my own fabrics.
One of the main things that remains the same in Whanganui is the beautiful historic buildings that make up the main street (Victoria Ave). After the revamp in 1990, it has been a beautiful street to walk up and I love when it's in bloom. Whanganui has the perfect balance of historic and modern and it boasts a very competitive café scene. Its also an incredibly culturally diverse town.
What does your perfect Whanganui day include?
My perfect day in Wanganui includes all the following...
- Start the morning with a trip to the Riverside markets, pick up some Monty’s surprise apples and a mussel fritter for breakfast.
- The day most definitely includes coffee, Whanganui is very spoiled for choice when it comes to GOOD coffee but most definitely will make a stop at Little C (adjacent to Majestic Square) or Recafinated on Taupo Quay.
- A trip to Butchart’s in Gonville is always a must, they make these ham rolls that I feel like I was raised on. It's filled with every filling I could ever want (including cheese, beetroot and piccalilli!!!) and has this world famous secret mayonnaise recipe that even after three years of chef training I can’t figure out what it is but god I love it!
- A walk around Virginia Lake - perfect time to catch up with an old friend on life while being amazed by the cuteness of the wildlife (if you go in duckling season you will not be disappointed). I try not to feed ducks bread so instead I take a bag of frozen peas, they really like them.
- The walk then makes you thirsty, so it's off to Article Cafe for a pot of earl grey and one of their amazing counter top pies (usually Banoffee or Key lime). They also have the quaintest tea cups and spoons and a great vintage clothing section to peruse while you wait for your drink.
- Then there's is nothing quite like fish and chips on the beach at Castlecliff watching the sunset with a beer and feeding the gulls. Georges Fish and Chips on Victoria Avenue have always been a family favourite.
Can you share a secret home town spot with us?
One of my favourite oldest places to go is the William Birch Pools just outside of town near Maxwell. My parents use to take me there in the early 90’s when it was still functioning as a swimming pool. It was a beautiful huge natural water pool that was filled by a stream. I remember the pool being packed with locals as a child was a great treat on hot days felt like a scene from a French movie.
It still remains a great area to stop for a picnic and bush walk, and view the historic pool areas. Its very easy to imagine what it would have looked like in its heyday, it's a great slice of history from the area.
Why should people visit Whanganui?
It's a wonderful mix of historical and modern and is one of few areas of our country that has coastal, urban, residential, rural, river side and civic, all in one place.
The town has two iconic towers on its river side hill tops, as well as a very rare elevator that takes you to the top for a coin fee. And the Whanganui River is an amazing feature that winds through the township. Many of the town's historic features are a walking distance from the main street.
Where do you take out-of-towners when they visit?
I always take my out of town friends to Bason Botanic Reserve for a day picnic. There are huge gardens indoors and out, huge lawned areas for you to set up and play some back yard cricket or croquet. Multiple bush walks, and free BBQ areas. It’s a fabulous place gifted by the Bason Family for everybody to enjoy. ALSO FREE!!!
What's your favourite free thing to do in Whanganui?
I have two favourite free things...
- The beach. I grew up in Castlecliff so my feet are well conditioned to hot iron sand. Rangiora Street has had a recent makeover with the introduction of gardens, an art gallery, and the great new Citadel Café.
- The Winter Gardens and bird aviary. These gardens are so well kept and manicured, including well spaced out themed areas outdoors, and a massive indoor hot house (I always throw some coins in the donation box). And the bird aviary is a 360 degree walk in aviary, if you're lucky enough a bird will land on you.
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Where's the best place to get a...
Coffee? The Village Snob, discovered this awesome coffee cart on the river side on my last trip home. There is something quite cute about being served coffee from a guy in a tie and waistcoat. Coffee strength A+ Conversation A+ Cocktail? Frank bar or Mint. (though I prefer prosecco) Piece of art? There are so many open studios in Whanganui over flowing with amazing art. Open Studios are the best time to pick up a bargain, artists often have good prices on their works and have older pieces put to the side that they are keen to see go to a good home if you express interest. Piece of clothing? Savemart (Aramoho). I always score myself an amazing find here, there is a huge retro section and the women’s section is quite extensive. I found a $40 Vivienne Westwood jacket from there once (I'm not sure they knew what a score that was!) Bargain? Mint Cafe always impresses me with their value for money and standard of food. Last time I went I ordered a bottle of Prosecco and a pizza to share, I paid with $50 note and got change ( if you have lived in Auckland as long as I have you will know that is a bargain!!!!) Bite to eat? LUCKY Bar make these amazing plates of polenta chips. I can confirm one plate will not be enough, they are sooooo moreish, I always plate steal when I run out. It's also the best place to go watch live music, it has the vibe of a backyard concert. |
