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Raglan Naturally

Arts
Mahi Toi

The arts community is diverse and unique with many musicians, dancers, painters, fashion designers, pottery, Whakairo, event organisers, galleries, fim makers, Kapa Haka, Sculpters, photograghers, theatre, drama , writers, moko artists and tattoists. The Arts in Whaingaroa is thriving and adds value to the community through the creative input of the above mentioned. There is significant community engagement and participation in the arts and arts are highly valued in this community.

Arts purpose – brings wellbeing, voice, uniqueness, social and cultural development. Through the arts we are able to communicate who we are as people and how ‘place’ influences our unique voice.

Groups & Organisations

  • Whaingaroa Youth Movement
  • Raglan Theatre Academy
  • Freedom2Fly
  • Kaumatua Singing Group
  • Raglan Community Choir
  • Raglan Community Arts Council (est 1982)
  • Raglan Musicians Club
  • Circus Aotearoa
  • Raglan Art Group

Projects

  • Public art spaces
  • A large multi-space building (250+
    capacity) for more performing arts
    classes and events including dance,
    theatre and music facilities.
  • Community to support, encourage
    and promote Māori artists, musicians,
    theatre, kapa haka, dance and
    performing arts.

Learn

Get Involved

  • Exhibit your art
  • Put on an event
  • Volunteer
  • Donate/sponsor a local group

Stories

Maki

Whaingaroa Raglan Water Tower Mural Project

Whaingaroa Raglan Destination Management Organisation (WRDMO) is spearheading the restoration of the Whaingaroa Raglan Water Tower mural as a community-led project. An advisory panel was established in April, comprising six community members representing local hapū, artists, and youth.

Maki

Matariki ki Whaingaroa

The Matariki public holiday is coming up on Friday, 28 Jun 2024, and locally in Raglan there are a number of great events

Maki

Water Reservoir Tower Restoration Project

The Whaingaroa Raglan Destination Management Organisation is embarking on a project to restore the public art featured on the iconic water reservoir tower located on the corner of Bow St and Norrie Ave opposite the BP station.

What We Have

Raglan Town Hall, Raglan Old School Arts Centre, Orca, Matapihi Gallery, Ahoy Studio, Kokiri Centre, Raglan Club, Rockit Gallery and Venue, Yot Club, Wainui Bush Park, Ruapuke Motor Campground, Papahua/Kopua, Wainui Reserve, Scout Hall, Te Mata Hall, Te Uku Hall, Raglan Library, Community House,

Regular weekly sessions in: ballet, creative dance, nia dance, african dance, drama, choir, pottery, circus arts, music tutoring, painting, craft. School holiday programmes for: pottery, creative crafts, art making. Annual workshop events in photography, film making, hip hop culture.

Whaingaroa Youth Movement (est 2003), Raglan Theatre Academy (est 2008) , Kaumatua Singing Group, Raglan Community Choir, Raglan Community Arts Council (est 1982), Raglan Musicians Club, Circus Aotearoa, Kapa Haka

Raglan Art to Wear, Soundsplash, Word Café Raglan, Whaingaroa Youth Movement, Raglan Theatre Academy, Raglan Arts Weekend, Te Ao Marama, Raglan Film Festival, Mountain Dreaming clay workshops, Youth Week, Masquerade Ball, Film Workshop Event

Most common themes from the community

Music

Support the arts

Dance

Public art, including spaces

Theatre

Māori and cultural arts

Aspirations

Promote, support and encourage growth in all local creative industries including heritage and cultural art, Māori Performing Arts, music, visual art, craft art, dance, and theatre, street performance, film, photography, and literature

Encourage and support children and young people in the learning and participation of the arts.

All art forms are a contributor to local economy and tourism.

Future planning for spaces.

Increase visibility of arts.

Future planning for spaces.

Marketing and promotion of the arts.

All art forms are a contributor to local economy and tourism.

Possible pathways toward achieving these aspirations

Keep the art and music as strong focuses.

Encourage art sector with support and facilities.

  • Acknowledge and support existing facilities, groups and artists in Raglan, the volunteers who are involved and the value they bring to this community.
  • Support and design a designated indoor/outdoor space in the village for buskers, live musicians, street performance, theatre and dance performance.
  • Community to support, encourage and promote Māori artists, musicians, theatre, kapa haka, dance and performing arts.
  • Identify, create and design spaces in the village for public art, sculptures, cultural art, murals, installations and creative innovative art projects.
  • Encourage, promote and support children and young people with all creative industries.
  • Supporting and creating a strong foundation for learning music, arts, kapa haka, theatre and dance with students.
  • Continue to support and promote Kōkiri Centre, Raglan Old School Arts Centre and Town Hall events, Raglan Community Radio, Rag FM and Tractor FM.
  • Support and develop more community events and festivals.
  • Local artists to work with the Whaingaroa Destination Management
  • Organisation to create a unique brand to promote Raglan community.
  • Recognising and supporting local self-employed artists and musicians who contribute to local economy.
  • Create and design a platform for promoting and publishing events and works by local artists, live music, dance and theatre productions, kapa haka and cultural performance.
  • Community Music Board to encourage and support local music industry and funding opportunities
  • Supporting and developing Artist in Residency programmes.
  • A large multi-space building (250+ capacity) for more performing arts classes and events including dance, theatre and music facilities.