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New Zealand > Waikato
> Raglan
By Jessica Lloyd
Surf n Sun
 Raglan is a small town with only 3,000 permanent residents and a world famous surfing village 50km west of Hamilton, on the
West Coast of the North Island. The volcanic black sand
beaches are usually full in summertime and still get used daily by keen surfers
(of which there are many) in winter.
Raglan is very popular with young and old
alike, and is a beautiful spot to get away from the daily grind. It’s close
proximity to Hamilton and Auckland make it very accessible. If its fun and
parties you are after there are plenty. If it’s calm and relaxation, it will be
yours. Choose your spot carefully, and you will have whatever you came there
for. There is plenty to do and see around this
area. This place is quite historical too, so if you are a history buff, you
will find interesting things to peer into and read about.
The People
Locally, Raglanites are as cruisy as any beachside dwellers. Living in such a
beautiful place rubs off, making them friendly and accommodating to visitors. It
no doubt helps their manners that most of their annual income is derived from
visitors! With around 3,000 permanent residents (which appears to be growing)
the town is fairly sleepy, though it has a number of ‘equipped’ restaurants and
bars to accommodate the party scene when summer is in full swing.
Things to do in Raglan
If it's not surfing you came for, there are bushes to walk, mountains to climb,
horses to ride and a decent waterfall, Bridal Veil Falls, to oogle. You could
learn how to surf, or just laze around and enjoy the colourful and picturesque
town. Mount Karioi, a dormant volcano, is nicknamed ‘the sleeping lady’ and
dominates the town view. There is a golf course, sightseeing by air or land,
fishing, boating, kayaking, and paragliding. There are also arts and crafts, the
Tattooed Rocks, and Wainui Reserve to investigate.
Best Surfing Spots
Surfing anywhere in Raglan is good, that’s why it’s such a popular spot. Ocean
Beach has good breakers, but the best ‘joe public’ surf is found slightly south
in Manu Bay where the world famous left handers break and roll for up to a
kilometre (on a good day!) towards the beach. Whale Bay also has consistently
excellent left handers. This Bay is known as a Maori healing place. There are
other great surfing spots, like Indicators point, but unless you can hold your
own, don’t bother – the locals may not be so friendly! The waves there are
hollow and provide long rides.
With a few bars and restaurants/cafes to wine and dine in, summer is a great
time to visit this beautiful little holiday village though the weather never
stops surfers.
SoundSplash Festival
The SoundSplash Festival is held annually in Raglan on Waitangi weekend, with a
huge range of high quality roots and reggae bands and musicians. With a massive
New Zealand line up, it gets raved about (boringly so!). Overnight camping is
available, and there are be non-stop sounds.
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous – Not Quite
It is one of the most unspoilt holiday hot-spots in New Zealand, and is becoming
more popular all the time (which of course increases spoiling – can’t win). It
has been reported that some houses have sold for over a million dollars, which
the locals say is bad news. They don’t want ‘another Mount Manganui’, which is
totally understandable. At the moment, Raglan is perfect just the way she is –
loaded to the gills with character and a beautiful attitude.
History
Maori legend has it that the great migratory canoe Tainui travelled south along
the west coast of the North Island of Aotearoa. From far, far away they could
see the mountain, Karioi, which dominates the Raglan landscape. They travelled
on and on, for what seemed to them like forever, to reach this mountain. When
they finally got to the entrance of the harbour, the bar made their entry
impossible. They then travelled further south to Aotea Harbour, making the trip
even longer still. They finally arrived, naming the place Whaingaroa, “the long
pursuit”.
Raglan has a very rich history of early Maori and Europeans. Early settlers knew
Raglan as Whaingaroa until in 1855 it was renamed in honour of Lord Raglan. Lord
Raglan was the officer who led the charge of the Light Brigade. There are a
number of vintage buildings and monuments, and the Raglan Museum has a great
collection of early relics and personal effects from both early Maori and
European settlers.
Getting There
Bus - Self Drive - Tour
Less than an hours drive from Hamilton and
Kawhia.
Raglan Links
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