In local Raglan news, heavy rains have seen Whaanga Road is being restricted to a single traffic lane at the 5.4km mark due to slip on the roadside. The location is about 100m on the Raglan side of the Te Toto Gorge carpark area.
The road shoulder has parted company with the carriageway and headed down the hill into the gorge. On closer inspection yesterday, we found fresh cracks forming further into the road. At this stage they are only hairline cracks but cracks all the same.
As a result we will be forming a bund in the next couple of days to keep traffic well away from the edge of the road and the fresh cracks but in the interim, we have placed cones along the road shoulder and will be installing Priority Give Way signage today to ensure traffic doesn’t get anywhere near the edge or the cracks as evidenced by the yellow paint lines in the photos.
We are in discussion on a permanent fix but with the approaching weather front, it’s too risky to commence any excavation works such as a retreat into the bank as we could only make things worse.
Will keep you posted if anything changes as far as available road width goes and will make sure the team keep a good eye on it over the coming weeks.
Café News Molasses Returns – A Fresh Take on a Raglan Classic
Molasses is back – but this time it’s smaller, funkier, and tucked just off the main street. Conor McCabe, whose parents opened the original Molasses Kitchen in 1995, has launched a new sidewalk-style version in Volcom Lane, just behind Wyld.
Serving Asian-inspired dishes like curry laksa and murtabak, the new Molasses is both a nod to the past and a fresh take on casual Raglan dining.
The new eatery has already been a hit with school holiday foot traffic and features Conor’s own handmade collage artwork across the counter wall.
Waikato District Council adopts future-focused Long Term Plan
The new plan, officially adopted on 30 June, lays out how Council will invest over the next nine years and it’s focused on the basics: roads, water, rubbish, libraries and parks.
Mayor Jacqui Church says the plan was shaped by community feedback, with over 550 submissions received. Rates will go up by 4.25% from 1 July, but depending on where you live and what services you get, the total increase could be between 4.25 and 11 percent.
For Raglan and the wider Whāingaroa area – including Te Uku, Te Mata, Waitetuna and Ruapuke – several key projects and priorities are on the table.
Water and wastewater are a major focus. A new joint water organisation called IAWAI Flowing Waters will take over water, wastewater and stormwater services from July 2026. This includes the ongoing upgrade of the Raglan Wastewater Treatment Plant and future planning to reduce discharge into the harbour.
On the roads front, Te Papatapu and Ruapuke Roads are included in the unsealed road upgrade programme. A long-awaited transport report for Raglan has been released, and while it includes a potential bypass, funding and land acquisition are still uncertain. Council has decided not to increase local road maintenance beyond current levels unless extra funding comes from Waka Kotahi.
Waste services will continue to evolve. Xtreme Zero Waste remains a key local partner, and Council is trialling new ways to divert food waste from landfill. A new recycling crate for glass is planned from 2027.
Coastal resilience is also a priority, with flood-prone areas like Wainui Reserve and Papahua flagged for long-term adaptation planning as Council responds to climate change.
And for community spaces, Council has boosted annual funding for local museums – including Raglan’s – and will continue maintaining parks, reserves and high-use beach areas.
To find out what’s happening in your area, visit waikatodistrict.govt.nz/ltp.
In local rugby league – it was a tough but spirited weekend for Whāingaroa Whai, as both the men’s and women’s teams wrapped up their final grading games before the WRFL competition proper kicks off.
Sports
On Saturday, the Whai Tāne hosted Rangiriri Storm in wet and muddy conditions at Park Drive. Despite struggling to get traction early, the home side found their rhythm late in the match, crossing for a try. But the clock ran out on a comeback, with the Whai going down in a close loss.
Player of the Day was awarded to Jordy Haworth, with strong performances also from Beau Thompson and Lance Higgins. The award was sponsored by Aroha Sushi and the Kereopa–Lloyd whānau.
On Sunday, the Whai Wāhine faced off against their whānau from Tāhaaroa Steelers in a fiercely contested match. The younger team fought hard but were edged out 10–18 in what was their final grading round.
Player of the Day, went to Kavarne Nicho for a gutsy performance.
Looking ahead, both teams are back in action this weekend as competition matches officially begin.
The Whai Tāne will take on the Tāhaaroa Steelers this Saturday, with kick-off at 2pm on Field 1 at Park Drive here in Raglan.
And on Sunday, the Whai Wāhine travel to Rest Hills Park to face the Hauraki Tigers Wāhine, with kick-off at 1pm.
Whāingaroa whānau are encouraged to head along and show their support as the teams begin their Championship campaigns.
In football a surprise shake-up for the Raglan Roosters over the weekend, as the team took the field on Sunday with one of their youngest squads ever.
With an average age under 30 – and nine players under 25 – it was a last-minute lineup packed with debut energy. Just five senior players rounded out the side, after a week of scrambling to field a full team.
A big shoutout to Tai for rallying the troops – and thanks to their efforts and five new debuts, the Roosters were able to avoid forfeiting and took on Gorkhali FC with heart.
The result didn’t go their way, but the team showed plenty of spirit – and the future looks bright for the club.
The next match is back on home turf, with the Raglan Roosters set to face Hamilton Masters this Sunday from 1pm at Papahua Domain.