The Duncan Pavilion

07/04/2025

Thanks Whanganui District Council for coming out to Castlecliff on a cold & windy Monday to share plans for water etc!

06/03/2025

Tawhero School Whānau at Castlecliff Beach for SeaWeek. Thanks to Department of Conservation, Castlecliff Coastcare and Sport Whanganui for making their day great!

26/02/2025

Ouch!! 50% increase on supply charges and 16% on useage!
Increases effective April Fools day but it's no joke!
(Notice of increase on power account for The Duncan Pavilion so less choice, add 15% GST to these rates and no free hours etc!)

24/02/2025

Tonights sunset glory!

16/02/2025

Unedited snap of sunset 🌇 from The Duncan Pavilion this evening.

What are you waiting for? Book your private Pavilion sunset NOW...
https://www.spacetoco.com/space/duncan-pavilion

14/02/2025

13/02/2025

58yo old doesn't want to feel empty and alone this Valentines day!
I'm told I'm beautiful and amazing. How much Whanganui people value me and how classic, iconic loved and special I am.
But here I am without a date for Valentines Day!

Tomorrow Valentines Day I'd like nothing more than to be the centre of someones special Valentines Day. A marriage proposal to the background of beach and waves? Perhaps the location of a private romantic sunset dinner or the catch up of friends. I'd be happy to have singles who are OVER Valentines Day join for a fun party too. A birthday or celebration.

But here I am without a date for tomorrow. 😔 If you truly love me put a booking on it! 6 hr evening min reduced to 3 hours tomorrow only!

You can book the Duncan Pavilion online for a low $39/hr. Membership $10 gets 20% off for locals and 30% weekday kids parties with special rates for public events etc.
View pictures, see availability and book online with quick response and personalised keycode access.
https://www.spacetoco.com/space/duncan-pavilion

10/02/2025

Get creative and share your passon!
Keen as to host these kind of events
https://www.spacetoco.com/space/duncan-pavilion
Progress Castlecliff / Castlecliff.NZ happy to support with local promo - email [email protected]

Calling all creatives – Whanganui’s Creative Communities Scheme will be open in less than a week!

Whether you’d like to deliver a workshop, performance, exhibition, or the like, the funding scheme supports local arts projects focused on accessibility, diversity, and youth participation in the arts 💃🎨

Find out more on how to apply here 👉https://buff.ly/42YWVaP and get in touch with any questions.

Image: Race Unity Week lantern-making workshop by the Multicultural Council of Rangitikei/Whanganui at the Duncan Pavilion

05/02/2025

Lifeguards will patrol Whanganui beaches only on weekends from February 10 until March 30.

03/02/2025

The Duncan Pavilion is one of only three dodecagon buildings in Aotearoa that we know of. The others being...
- Ceramic House in Auckland (former HQ of Crown Lynn)
https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2024/09/former-home-of-crown-lynn-pottery-added-to-historic-heritage-schedule/
- Round House in Kāpiti (as featured on Grand Designs NZ)
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1813449102323257

Designed in 1966 by iconic mid century architect Eddie Belchambers of Belchambers & Wilson (Collegiate, Council Chambers, Wilson House and others) we can't wonder if the 1965 pavilion design may have drawn inspiration from Canberra's 1963 Carousel Restaurant (now Red Hill Restaurant)

We think The Duncan Pavilion's iconic architecture needs recognition (as Auckland Council has for Ceramic House) love and preservation.
What do you think?

Carousel Restaurant (now Red Hill Restaurant), Red Hill Lookout, in 1970. (B&W photo 1970 National Archives of Australia (A1500, K22257))
This loved Canberra restaurant was designed by Miles Jakl in 1963 for the Vodovic Family and was extended some time later, to a design by Enrico Taglietti. Operated as the Carousel Restaurant 1964-2021 it was renovated and reopened as the Red Hill Restaurant in 2024 and remains is one of Canberra's go-to restaurants for fine dining, popular with locals, visitors and politicians alike.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/canberra-mornings/architecture-tour/104327358

21/01/2025

Lets hope Whanganui District Council has a better view of the necessity of keeping airport costs down and transport routes open than Norfolk - the uncalled for 3.8m partial parallel taxiway that neither Air Chathams or Aerowork will use doesn't say WDC "gets" it...
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/whanganui-airport-to-get-36-million-partial-taxiway-but-some-users-deem-it-unnecessary/G6ZEYRSHBZCY7FYW3ZCZEZDE3I/
"The airline said it requested the Norfolk Island Regional Council for extended financial support, including waiving some landing fees and marketing funds, but could not reach an agreement"
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/539534/new-zealand-s-only-flights-to-norfolk-island-to-end

Air Chathams will withdraw flights between Auckland and the Australian territory from April.

20/01/2025

Tonights sunset - imagine watching this if you'd booked The Duncan Pavilion for a sunset dinner venue tonight!

20/01/2025

Sandman (or woman) WANTED!

Sand buildup is a bit of a NIGHTMARE! Whanganui District Council are responsible for sand clearance in the carparks etc but we want to do better with sand clearing from the steps and access ramp to The Duncan Pavilion .

If you're regularly at the beach and could sweep the sand aside when it needs it plus occasionally give the windows a hose down (the same wind that builds the sand up leaves the windows salty/dusty) we'd like to hear from you.

Able to give you koha and/or pavilion use in exchange.

Email [email protected] or Ph 02041586042

20/01/2025

Always someone thinks they're entitled to something for nothing!

But if you think paying as little as $39 for The Duncan Pavilion as a venue for you to enjoy your homecooked or takeout/delivereasy dinner with your whanau and/or friends is anazing value BOOK NOW! (FIrst hour free with code DINING_SPECIAL)

Your support of the pavilion helps Progress Castlecliff protect and improve the pavilion.