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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
• Music
• 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 Raglan Club’s shield incorporating the Panther Argent spotted in various colours from the Raglan Family coat of arms

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 2013 Census:  The population of the inner Raglan statistical area is 2736. The outer Raglan statistical area including Manu Bay, Whale Bay and the rural areas had a population of 1896 in 2013. So there were 4632 people living in and around Raglan in 2013. The population for the Raglan Town area would be about 3,600. The Raglan Ward of Waikato District had a population of 4680 in 2006. This increased to 4920 in 2013.

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 Blacksands café very Wednesday morning.

There is another art group that meets in the Te Uku Hall.

Music n Mingles friendship group runs at the Raglan Club.

There a few Tai Chi groups and many yoga groups.

Yes there is plenty to do for older women.

Q.  I’m planning a wedding in Raglan.   Who are some of the local DJs?

A.  Some I know of are Felix (bsidebeats@gmail.com), Jinja Jamboo, B-Rex (b.rex.raglan@xtra.co.nz) and Ollie B (olly@ollybrunton.co.nz). Also DJ Double Brown, DJ Nomad and DJ Hell.

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?

Using smartphones and laptop with WiFi outside the Raglan Library

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, WOK 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 days is the rubbish collected in Raglan?

A. The CBD and Raglan West is on Mondays. Raglan East on Tuesdays. Put it out before 8am on these days. You need to put your rubbish in a blue bag which can be purchased at the Raglan Four Square and other stores. Recycling goes out on the same day in a green bin. They will take cans, glass bottles, plastics (1,2,3,4,5,6,7), paper and cardboard.

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
• Raglan Service Station (1983) Ltd3 Bow St, Raglan Phone 07 825 8013
• 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. Raglan Kopua Holiday Park at Marine Parade has a filling service:  $30 for 9 kg. Drop bottles off between 8am and 8pm weekdays. Fill pickups are between 1pm and 5pm.

Raglan Gas at 18 Cornwall Road (off Hills Road) has a filling service. Phone 07 825 7292.

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 Allan Sanson.  The Ward Councillor for Raglan is Lisa Thomson.  The Chair of the Raglan Community Board is Bob MacLeod.

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 Pirtaes 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.