The replacement building on Raglan Wharf was opened today just after noon by Waikato Mayor Allan Sanson. The original building burnt down in 2010 in a disastrous fire. Mayor Sanson said how important the building was to Raglan and how he liked going to wharf buildings when visiting coastal towns. He thanked everybody involved in getting the building up. Raglan Councillor Clint Baddeley reminisced about the old wharf from when the Holm Shipping boats used the wharf through Golden Bay’s bulk cement days and how it had even been used by a wool scourer once.
Clint went on to say that the wharf was more than just fish and chips as the commercial activities at the wharf were important to the town. He said that new opportunities such as the tourist boat, Wahine Moe would now be possible.
About 100 people attended the opening. After the close of the speeches, the Kaumatua blessed the food and packets of externally catered fish and chips were served.
Meanwhile Waikato District Council staff are working on securing tenants for the building. It is understood that the Raglan CoastGuard volunteer group will sign a lease any day.