When the Whanganui Riverboat Restoration & Navigation Trust was established in 1990, its primary objective was to retrieve PS Waimarie from the mud of the Whanganui River and restore her to her former glory as "Queen of the Whanganui River".

The Trust began by stabilising the riverbank and restoring Hatrick's Wharf, and then in 1993 successfully salvaged Waimarie from her 40-year submersion in the River. In 1993 the Trust also acquired the historic Wanganui Rowing Club building in which to establish a comprehensive Riverboat Centre and Museum to preserve and exhibit River-related archives, photographs and memorabilia. The Riverboat Centre housed Waimarie for the major part of her restoration, before she was moved outside and then relaunched for all the finishing touches.

PS Waimarie was officially recommissioned at the beginning of 2000, on the 100th anniversary of her first registration in 1900, and she has since run regular cruises on the Whanganui River, carrying over 25,000 passengers in her first year of operation.

The Riverboat Trust was established as a community-based heritage Trust and worked hard to raise the money required for the restoration. The core of its success in returning Waimarie to the River was the huge community support it received. In addition, the Trust received grants, sponsorships and donations from all around New Zealand.
Major sponsors of Project Waimarie were
Trust Bank Wanganui Community Trust
New Zealand Lottery Grants Board
Yarrows (The Bakers) Ltd
Volunteers: over 67,000 volunteer hours were contributed to the project - not a bad achievement for a city of 40,000 people!

The Trust's next major undertaking is the redevelopment of the Riverboat Centre - to upgrade the museum, ticketing and public facilities.

Membership of the Trust is an inexpensive way to contribute to these developments and we welcome new members. Annual subscriptions are $25 (single) and $35 (family). Members receive discounts on cruises and merchandise and regular newsletters.
Enquiries about membership may be directed to any staff at the Riverboat Centre.

The Whanganui Riverboat Restoration & Navigation Trust acknowledges and thanks all those who have supported, and continue to support, its efforts to revitalise an important element of Wanganui's history and provide people with a unique experience of the past.