Go Raglan

The WSL Championship Tour is returning to Raglan in 2027!

Following the debut of the New Zealand Pro earlier this year, Whāingaroa will once again welcome the world’s best surfers.

Go Raglan’s community impact research found strong support for the inaugural event, alongside valuable feedback about how future events could create more opportunities for local businesses, organisations, rangatahi and residents.

As Go Raglan representative Charlie Young says, “We now have a much clearer picture of the economic and community impact of the first event, as well as some really useful feedback to help shape 2027.”

Dates will be announced later this year. Read the full story and explore the 2026 impact research via the link: https://raglanihub.nz/wsl-championship-tour-to-return-to-raglan-in-2027/

What can a place name tell us about the land beneath our feet and the people who have cared for it across generations?

In this episode of Journeys to Home, Dr Oliver McLeod and Taruke Thomson explore how Māori place names can hold knowledge of landscape, ecology, whakapapa and identity.

Go Raglan is about more than sharing places to visit and things to do. It is also about helping people understand the histories, stories and relationships that make Whāingaroa what it is, so we can experience and care for this place with greater awareness and respect.

Presented by Raglan Naturally .

Journeys to Home - The Significance of Names- Presented by Taruke Thomson & Dr. Oliver McLeod In this episode of Journeys to Home, Dr Oliver McLeod and Taruke Th...

What did the WSL event period mean for economic activity in Whāingaroa?

During the 15-day analysis period, $4 million was recorded across 123,148 transactions - 49.6% more spending than during the same period in 2025.

Just over half came from cardholders based outside Waikato District.

The data comes from Paymark and Verifone, New Zealand’s two largest electronic card payment networks. It covers electronic card and digital wallet transactions made at merchants on those networks, but does not include cash, bank transfers or some third-party payment platforms.

Read the full WSL Impact Report and Marketview analysis here: https://qrco.de/bgzfCD

Following the inaugural World Surf League Corona Cero NZ Pro at Manu Bay, we asked Whāingaroa residents, businesses and community stakeholders about their experience.

The findings show strong support for the event and its contribution to community pride, visitor activity and Whāingaroa’s international profile. Respondents also identified several areas for improvement.

These included earlier communication, better parking and beach-access management, greater local business and community involvement and stronger environmental initiatives.

Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and ideas. Your feedback will help inform the planning of future major events in Whāingaroa.

Read the full Whāingaroa Raglan World Surf League Impact Report here: https://goraglan.com/whaingaroa-raglan-world-surf-league-impact-report-30-aug-2026-3/

Funding support thanks to Raglan Naturally and Waikato District Council.

A closer look at one of Whāingaroa’s remarkable wetlands 🌿

In this episode of Journeys to Home, researcher Mahuru Robb takes us to the Toreparu Wetland, sharing how science and mātauranga Māori can deepen our understanding of this landscape.

Stories like this reflect the shared values of Go Raglan and Raglan Naturally – protecting our environment, celebrating local knowledge and strengthening connections between people and place.

Watch the short film.

Journeys to Home- Mahuru Robb- Toreparu Wetlands Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

You told us what matters for the future of tourism and events in Whāingaroa.

Between December 2025 and March 2026, 278 people took part in the Go Raglan Visitor & Events Community Survey.

The results show a clear balance between opportunity and responsibility.

People want:
• more events and activity across the year
• stronger storytelling about our culture, people and history
• more local jobs and training opportunities
• greater support for local businesses and community projects

At the same time, the strongest concerns were around parking and transport, environmental impacts and pressure on housing.

The overall message was clear: tourism and events should create real benefits for Whāingaroa while protecting the environment, community and character that make this place special.

Thank you to everyone who shared their views.
Read the full Community Insights Report via Go Raglan: https://goraglan.com/our-guiding-documents-raglan/

Zero fees. Local opportunities.

Go Raglan Jobs connects people and businesses across Whāingaroa. Jobseekers can create a profile and apply in minutes, while employers can list volunteer, casual, part-time and permanent roles, then manage applicants from their dashboard.

List a job for free today https://goraglan.com/go-raglan-jobs/

Looking for work or a way to give back locally?

Current listings on Go Raglan Jobs include:

• Part-time Property Care Assistant
• Permanent Sous Chef
• Volunteer opportunities at a local rest home

Browse the latest jobs and volunteer roles across Whāingaroa:

https://goraglan.com/go-raglan-jobs/job-posts/

Explore visitor trends, travel patterns and tourism’s role in Whāingaroa.

Our visitor insights show when people visit, what experiences attract them and how tourism supports the local community. From surfing, beaches and scenic walks to cafés, arts and events, the data helps build a clearer picture of Raglan’s visitor economy.

Learn more: https://goraglan.com/data-insights-home/

Looking for work closer to home?

Go Raglan Jobs brings together local jobs and volunteer opportunities from businesses and organisations across Whāingaroa.

For local employers, it’s also an easy way to reach people who already live in or want to work in our community.

Browse opportunities or list a vacancy:
https://goraglan.com/go-raglan-jobs/job-posts/