Mayor’s Message: Allan Sanson, Waikato District Mayor
I’ve always enjoyed taking my family to Raglan for visits that frequently included fish and chips on the iconic wharf: But the fire that destroyed many of the wharf buildings showed quite painfully that what can be built in and enjoyed for years can take just moments to lose.
The devastation of the wharf fire not only left a void on the seascape of Raglan but also on the town’s economy, its history, its vibrancy, and the lives of the people of Raglan Whaingaroa.
So I don’t mind saying that it was with a smile and a happy heart that I recently opened the new Raglan Wharf building.
Raglan will re-emerge; its future as a seaside destination and tourist town a bright one.
The new wharf building cost $1 .9m and the total project cost, including design work and wharf repair work was approximately $2.9m.
Replacing a building as significant to a town as the wharf building was to Raglan wasn’t a project we took lightly. We consulted extensively with the community and we worked with designers to recreate the atmosphere of the original building and site, while building something that would serve Raglan well as it embraces the future.
Earlier this year I officially opened the Raglan and District Museum (Te Whare Taonga o Whaingaroa) and Raglan Information Centre (Te Puna Koorero 0 Whaingaroa). These facilities also received financial support and advocacy from the council.
Raglan will re-emerge; its future as a seaside destination and tourist town a bright one. As the mayor of the Waikato district it is heartening to see the return of businesses to a destroyed area. As a Waikato resident and someone who enjoys spending time in Raglan, I’m looking forward to taking my new granddaughter there — fish and chips on the wharf are back on the menu!