The idea quickly gained momentum, and on 2 November 1989, The Taranaki Daily News reported, "It [Whangamōmona] declared itself independent in protest at being taken from Taranaki to form part of the new Manawatu/Wanganui region." There was a gathering of more than 400 people (a large crowd for a small, remote village) all – peacefully – showing their dissatisfaction with the government"s decision to change boundaries and leaving residents dealing with a regional council they feared would not support their tiny rural town.