tourism with and for our community
An internationally renowned destination.
Whāingaroa Raglan is an internationally renowned destination. As a community we have an obligation to genuinely care for our place and people, including those who come to visit.
This project recognises a need for tourism to be sustainably managed for and with our community. By working together with residents, iwi, and local businesses, the WRDMO is building a future where tourism supports our economy, protects our environment, and tells authentic stories celebrating who we are.
A multi-channel approach
The Strategy.
The Tourism & Events Strategy includes demographic and economic analyses; community consultation; community-led branding and marketing; business consultation; five-year tourism and events plan; event management; and organisational development such as Te Reo Māori strategy; volunteer support and growth, IT systems and providing opportunities for local employment and enterprise, including rangatahi.
the go-to- online guide for locals and visitors
Go Raglan.
An essential element of the community-led five-year Tourism & Events Strategy has been the development of the Go Raglan website.
Described as the go-to-online guide for locals and visitors, Go Raglan went live in December 2025. Go Raglan weaves together whānau, hapū, iwi, businesses, organisations, visitors and partners – all with the shared goal of protecting and celebrating what makes Whāingaroa Raglan unique.
Highlighting everything from community initiatives and volunteer efforts to local environmental projects, the website encourages visitors to experience not just the well-known attractions, but the heart of what makes Whāingaroa tick.
The Raglan Chronicle
Have your say on tourism at the Go Raglan roadshow.
The Whāingaroa Raglan Destination Management Organisation (WRDMO) has rebranded to Go Raglan and wants to hear your views on the future of our town as a visitor destination.
Taking their message on the road, WRDMO representatives Charlie Young, Lisa Thomson, and Jacqueline Anderson will be hosting a series of pop-up roadshows over summer starting with the Raglan Growers’ Market on Friday, December 12. Everyone who completes the survey will go in the draw to win a Wahine Moe cruise for two, and there’ll also be a raffle for a basket filled with local goodies. Keep an eye out for the team at other local events and pop-ups.
The Raglan Chronicle
New role helping shape the future of Raglan tourism.
A new role supporting Whāingaroa Raglan’s tourism and events workforce is now underway, helping ensure local people can access meaningful employment opportunities as the sector continues to grow.
Tourism and Events Workforce Development Advisor Jami Dickson will work alongside the community, schools, iwi, and local businesses to identify workforce gaps and strengthen pathways for both rangatahi and adults to build skills and careers in tourism and events.
“The tourism and events sector already supports our local economy, and there’s a lot of potential to create jobs and open up new opportunities for our community,” Jami says.
The Raglan Chronicle
Raglan businesses dive into tourism’s future.
Local businesses took a deep dive into the future of tourism at a recent Raglan Chamber event hosted by Whāingaroa Raglan Destination Management Organisation (WRDMO).
In partnership with Takitini (Waikato District Council’s economic development unit) and Hamilton Waikato Tourism, the Energising Raglan’s Visitor Economy event looked at how a strong tourism sector could boost local business aspirations.
Discussions ranged from the infrastructure needed to support growth, to creating local jobs, strengthening business capability, and the launch of the new ‘Go Raglan’ brand.
The Raglan Chronicle
Go Raglan goes live.
A new website, Go Raglan, has been launched by the Whāingaroa Raglan Destination Management Organisation (WRDMO) as the go-to online guide for locals and visitors to Raglan.
The site is part of WRDMO’s five-year, community-led tourism and events plan, supported by funding from the Department of Internal Affairs.
Go Raglan weaves together whānau, hapū, iwi, businesses, organisations, visitors and partners – all with the shared goal of protecting and celebrating what makes Whāingaroa Raglan unique.
Highlighting everything from community initiatives and volunteer efforts to local environmental projects, the website encourages travellers to experience not just the well-known attractions, but the heart of what makes Whāingaroa tick.
The Raglan Chronicle
Shaping a stronger Raglan workforce.
Hosted by Whāingaroa Raglan Destination Management Organisation/Go Raglan and the Raglan Business Chamber, the hui Shaping a Stronger Local Workforce brought together employers from hospitality, tourism, manufacturing, retail, professional services and the outdoors sector.
WRDMO manager Jacqueline Anderson says the turnout and depth of conversation reflected how critical workforce issues have become for local businesses. “What we heard clearly is that businesses are committed to employing locally, but the system around them isn’t always set up to support that,” she says. “This kōrero is about listening first, and then finding ways to turn those insights into practical actions.”
