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If you have any queries about Raglan Whaingaroa, then ask your question in an email to info@raglan23.co.nz and we’ll answer them if we can.
As questions are asked, the questions and answers will be listed here as a FAQ. Specific questions we have been asked are answered below. For other information check out these pages:
- Arts
- Event and Wedding Venues
- Fishing
- Galleries & Design
- Getting around Raglan
- Manu Bay
- Restaurants
- Self Catering in Raglan
- Shopping- Bow St Area General Retail
- Surfing
- Things to do
- Whale Bay
Questions and Answers
Q. How did Raglan get its name?
A. Rakataura and nine others from the Tainui canoe discovered the harbour in about 1400 and called it Whangaroa meaning Long Harbour, or ‘the long pursuit’. The early Europeans knew it as Whangaroa, later changed it to Whaingaroa to distinguish it from the Northland harbour of that name. Putoetoe was the original name of Raglan town area — most likely bestowed by the Tainui Tribe when they first settled round the Whaingaroa Harbour. It was so named because of the large area of toetoe growing here.
The name was changed to Raglan after the 1855 death of Field Marshal FitzRoy James Henry Somerset 1st Baron Raglan, the officer of that name who distinguished himself during the Crimean War. This was formalised on 2nd March 1858, when the NZ Government Gazette, declared by authority, “West Whaingaroa is denominated Raglan”. On 25 June, 1972, the then Lord Raglan presented the Raglan Club with the family’s coat of arms. The Club was also granted permission to use part of the arms in their coat of arms. it is described as a Panther Argent, spotted of various colours, fire issuant from the mouth and ears proper, gorged with a plain collar and chained Or. Field: Sky Blue. Because of its connection with Raglan during the Vietnam war, the 161 Battery of the NZ Army also has approval from the College of Arms to use the same Panther as its emblem.
The arms of the old Raglan County Council also used elements from the Lord Raglan Family coat of arms. The county was absorbed into the Waikato District Council in 1989.
Q. What is the Raglan postcode?
A. The postcode for in and around the town area of Raglan is 3225 and the postcode for Raglan PO Boxes is 3265. The Whaanga Coast area including Manu Bay and Whale Bay has the 3297 postcode.
Te Uku, Te Mata and Waitetuna are in 3295 postcode area. Across the Raglan Harbour, the postcode for the Te Akau area is 3793. Ruapuke to the south of Raglan and Mt Karioi has a postcode of 3296.
Q. How many people live in Raglan permanently?
A. Update based on 2023 Census:
2023 census data shows that the Whāingaroa population has moved above 8000 for the first time. The overall Whāingaroa area including Raglan town, Whale Bay, Te Uku and Te Akau had a population of 8286 in 2023 as shown in the table below.
| Census | Census | Area | |||
| Year | Raglan | Whale Bay | Te Uku | Te Akau | Whāingaroa |
| 2018 | 3327 | 768 | 1722 | 1620 | 7437 |
| 2023 | 3717 | 1020 | 1881 | 1668 | 8286 |
Q. My mother is looking at moving to the area. Are there lots to do for older women? Tai chi? Art classes?
There is a light exercise group that has sessions twice a week with mainly older men and women as members.
Raglan Old School Arts Centre has drop in sessions for clay art, painting, fibre and fabric. There are several book clubs and a writer’s club. It also screens mainly art house type movies on two weekends a month.
There is a knitting circle that meets at Orca café every Wednesday morning.
There are a few Tai Chi groups and many yoga groups.
Yes there is plenty to do for older women.
Q. How long does it take to drive from Auckland to Raglan?
A. It takes about 2 to 2 1/4 hours to drive from the centre of Auckland to Raglan, depending mainly on the traffic conditions in Auckland. From Auckland airport to Raglan takes about 2 hours. Coming from Auckland leave SH 1 at Ngaruawahia and take SH 39 to Whatawhata, then SH23 to Raglan.
Q. Where can you get free WiFi broadband in Raglan?
A. At the Raglan Library in Bow St. When the Library is closed you can still get the free broadband WiFi signal outside it. There is even complimentary seating and cushions provided by Waikato District Council. the WiFi is fast enough for Skype phone calls, which seems to be the main use of this service. Some Telecom phone boxes have free WiFi in the zone around them. Some cafes have complimentary WiFi for patrons. e.g. The Shack.
Q. Where can you get gluten free food in Raglan?
A. The Raglan SuperValue, and the Herbal Dispensary stock gluten free items. Most cafes have gluten free items on their menus. The Top Cut Butchery has shop made gluten and preservative free sausages.
Q. What is the best way to get to Waikato University in Hamilton from Raglan on public transport?
A. During school terms, the 7.00am Monday to Friday bus from Raglan goes right through to the St John’s stop near Waikato University in Hillcrest Rd. In the afternoon the bus to Raglan leaves the St John’s stop at 3.15pm.
Q. Who do you deal with to book the Raglan Town Hall or Supper Room?
A. The staff in the Raglan office of the Waikato District Council at 7 Bow St, Raglan 3225. Phone 07 825 8129
Q. Where can I get a Warrant of Fitness (WOF) or a Certificate of Fitness (COF) for my vehicle in Raglan?
A-1 You can get a Warrant of Fitness for a car, motorbike or trailer from:
- Direct Tech 28 Riria Kereopa Memorial Drive RD 3 Raglan 3297 Phone 07 825 0528
- BP2Go/ Top Garage Main Road, Raglan Phone 07 825 8393
A-2 To get a Certificate of Fitness (COF) for rental operators, passenger or for larger vehicles you need to get a COF rather than a WOF. There are no permanent facilities for this in Raglan but the VTNZ Te Rapa Branch organises a roughly monthly service in Lily Street, Raglan. To book for this contact Bryce Stevenson on phone 07 849 0649 or Email bryce.stevenson@vtnz.co.nz (VTNZ, 16 Tawn Place, Te Rapa, Hamilton)
Q. Where is Wainui Beach?
A. There is no beach named Wainui Beach. Ngarunui Beach is accessed off Wainui Road by a short road through the Wainui Reserve. (People sometimes refer to this beach as Wainui Beach, because you get to it through the Wainui Reserve. It used to be called Ocean Beach. It is now called Ngarunui Beach.)
Q. Where can you buy Blu-Tack in Raglan?
A. At the Raglan Book & Gift Centre in Bow St. They mainly sell it to surfers for use as ear plugs.
Q. Where can I get LPG gas bottles filled in Raglan?
A. You can’t get bottles filled.
Raglan Four Square in Bankart Street operates an ELGAS swap service for any brand of standard 9kg bottle (not Primus). (BP [On Gas] and SuperValue operate a swap service just for their brand of gas bottle.)
Q. Where is the Raglan Surf Life Saving Club?
A. It is above the south end of Ngarunui Beach, accessed south of Raglan off Wainui Road, then on the road through the Wainui Reserve. The Club building is a popular venue for wedding receptions.
Q. What is the noise control number for Raglan?
A. Noise complaints should be made to the Waikato District Council’s 24 hour telephone number 0800 492 452. Details of the complaint will be forwarded to the contractor who will despatch the Raglan based noise control officer to assess the noise and take appropriate action. The main issue for noise control officers to assess is whether or not the noise is causing unreasonable interference. Noise control restrictions apply 24 hours day, but are relaxed during the day and up to 10pm, Monday to Saturday. If the noise starts again after the officer has visited, call again and a noise control officer will revisit the address. For full details click here.
Q. Who is the Mayor of Raglan?
A. Raglan does not have a Mayor of its own. It is part of the Waikato District. The Mayor of Waikato District is Jacqui Church. The Ward Councillor for Whaingaroa Raglan is Lisa Thomson. The Chair of the Raglan Community Board is Dennis Amoore.
Q. What are the restrictions on getting married on a Raglan beach?
A. To get married on any beach or coastal reserve in Raglan you need to complete a booking form
http://www.waikatodc.govt.nz/CMSFiles/5b/5b932b79-cea7-4624-9c92-7c381bf22f72.pdf
and send it to the Waikato District Council.
Q. Where can I buy a SIM card in Raglan?
A. The Raglan SuperValue in Bow St, and the BP 2 GO on the Main Rd stock 2 Degrees SIM cards. The supermarket sometimes has low cost mobile phones. You can buy top up vouchers for all networks at the Raglan Supermarket.
Q. Where can you get pizza for lunch in Raglan?
Pizza is available for lunch at Pirates’ Pizza in Bow St, NK Pizza in Bow St. The Harbour View Hotel also has pizza available. The Raglan West Food Department also does pizza.
Good day!
I plan to visit your region. I will be very thankful if you send me any kind of tourist information: guides, maps, souvenirs, pens, stickers, bookmarks, calendars
Address:
Novoselov Oleg
Khrunova St 14-12
Volovo, Tula Region
Russia
301570
Thank you!
My wife and I will be shortly visiting and based on the information we have , this will be a relaxing week.
However, there is one attration that I belive was not advertised. Both being avid watchers of Spartacus: Blood and Sand, we understand that Ragland Whaingaroa is not only the home of Antonio te Maioha(Barca) and his family, but also is one of three towns that recycles about 70% of its rubbish. As such, the town is one of the most eco-friendly in the area.
If you could comment on both my observations, I’d appreciate it.
Jon
Good point Jon. I’ll ask Xtreme Waste why they haven’t supplied an article for The Raglan Website. They are listed in the Directory on the website.
When Xtreme Waste started they found that the secret to achieving a high recycling level is to focus on waste from builidng sites as well as rubbish from homes and commercial businesses. This approach delivers a recycling level of over 70%.
There are many celebrities who live in Raglan. Most keep a low profile while they are here. Click here to watch a video clip with Antonio Te Maioha talking about recycling in Whaingaroa.
Rodger
Hi, we would like to take our boat on Raglan HARBOUR . It is a 15ft aluminium boat . Would like information about how navigable the harbour is as we have only been boating on lakes so far and never anywhere tidal! Is there anywhere where our son can go biscuiting or learn to waterski anywhere in the harbour?
Where else can we get info,please?
Many thanks, Waikato Girl
This EW map has icons showing where water skiing is permitted. It also has some areas of the mudflats in the bays shown. With your boat you will be OK in the main parts of the harbour. At low tide you’ll have to keep to the channel areas. I suggest you give Steve Soanes, the harbourmaster a phone call on 825 8129.
hi rodger, do you have a number for sea rescue, not an emergency no, or do you know a secretary or someone in the org
Hi Dave
Kevin Dreaver is the head. The secretary is Brigid Green on 825 8089, Email raglancoastguard@gmail.com
Regards,
Rodger
How can we get hold of Venetia Sherson, Editor of “Baches of Raglan”, please?
Her phone number is 07 856 3600
Hi Rodger,
Have you noticed that Raglan broadband speed has dropped dramatically in the last few months? We use TelstraClear which has always been reasonably good (& essential for our business) but now even trying to watch a low res. video is like the old dial-up days.
Regards
Stuart (Raglan West)
Speed seems to be Ok for me this morning. I’m on Xnet. I downloaded a large file this morning in a reasonable time.
Hi there,
I need to get from Raglan to Auckland airport…..is there anyone in town offering a direct shuttle service ?
If not, how else would you recommend is the fastest way by public transport ?
many thanks
sarah
sarbear@me.com
Details of the shuttle services from Raglan to Auckland airport are on this page: http://raglan.gen.nz/getting-to-raglan/ Also on that page you’ll find details of the public transport options. Regards, Rodger
Wondering if you can tell me what connection the palm trees in the middle of the main street have with the cenataph. Thank you
When the war memorial centotaph was unveiled on April 29th 1922 by Governor-General, Viscount Jellicoe, Bow Street was decorated with pongas chopped out of the bush and placed complete with foliage up and down the centre of the street. They were admired by all, including Lady Jellicoe. When she asked if they were permanent, she was assured that they were. At next meeting of the Raglan Town Board it was decided to plant pohutukawas and phoenix palms down the centre of Bow St. The trees were planted soon after that. A 1923 photo in the Raglan Museum collection shows the just planted trees and the concrete kerbing. Most of the pohutukawas were cut down later, but they remain at the harbour end of the street. So today we only have the phoenix palms in the central area of Bow St and yes they are definitely linked to the memmorial as they result from Lady Jellicoe’s comments at the opening.