Active Recreation | Ngā Mahi Whakahohe a Rēhia

Active Recreation in Whaingaroa

Raglan has an environment that is very conducive to active recreation. There is a myriad of recreational activities in Raglan. This is a reflected on a daily and weekly basis when people from out of town come here for recreational activities. During the Summer the town is swelling to its capacity with people pursuing relaxation and active recreation. Raglan has world class surf breaks, offers harbour recreation, has beautiful bush walks and bike tracks.

Active Recreation in the Waikato and Aotearoa

The 2013/14 Active New Zealand Survey showed that 74% of adults (2.5 million) take part in sport and recreation weekly and 94.2% at least once a year. Walking, swimming and cycling are the most popular. Time and cost are the main barriers to not doing more sport.
Objective 4 of the NZ Coastal Policy Statement 2010 says –
To maintain and enhance the public open space qualities and recreation opportunities of
the coastal environment by:
• recognising that the coastal marine area is an extensive area of public space for the public to use and enjoy;
• maintaining and enhancing public walking access to and along the coastal marine area without charge

What topics were covered and who has been involved so far:

We appreciate all the work of the Focus Group members

We appreciate all the work of the Focus Group members

Please note: this Snapshot report is a starting point for community-wide input and is not a finished or complete report. Your input will build on this report.

Topics Covered:

Topics Covered:

  • Land activities (Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Walking, Cycling)
  • Sea & Water Activities (Surfing)
  • Air Activities
  • Recreation facilities (buildings, built spaces)
  • Reserves
Still to be included:

  • Land activities (gardening, horseriding (Pony Club), hunting, rugby, golf, running/hiking/tramping, netball, rock climbing, badminton (Badminton Club), Blowkarts – land yachts, bowling and indoor bowls (Bowling Club), croquet, dance, kapa haka, exercise classes/gym, martial arts, netball).
  • Sea & Water Activities (kayaking, rowing (Rowing Club), waka ama (Waka Ama Club), boating, fishing (Fishing Club), SUPing, swimming (Swimming Club), kitesurfing, diving/scuba diving, jet skiing, wakeboarding, water skiing, sailing (Sailing Club), surf life-saving (Surf Life Saving Club))
  • Air Activities (paragliding, hang gliding)

Who is Contributing to this Snapshot

Who is contributing to this Snapshot

Surfing community, Raglan Health & Fitness Trust, Maioha Kelly, Luke Hughes, Jo Gibbs, Malibu Hamilton, John Lawson, Luca Grilli, Dirk de Ruysscher, Daniel Kereopa & Renee Davenport, J Beaudry

Partners, Organisations, PEOPLE

Partners, organisations, people

Tangata whenua, SurfBreak Protection Society (SPS) is a National organisation, Te Ngaru Roa ā Maui, Point Board Riders, eCoast, Raglan Fitness Trust. Guillaume Gignoux and Hamilton Tennis Academy, & Luca Grilli Te Mata tennis, Raglan Football Club, Raglan School, Roosters Football team, Raglan Area School basketball teams. Jacob Fyalka. Dirk De Ruysscher. Raglan Mountainbiking Club. Cyclery Raglan. Dirk De Ruysscher, Raglan Ramblers, Light Exercise Group, Pauline Abraham

Still to be included:

Land activities: gardening (Horticultural Society), horseriding (Pony Club), hunting, rugby (Rugby Club), golf (Golf Club), running/hiking/tramping, netball, rock climbing (Raglan Rock), badminton (Badminton Club), Blowkarts – land yachts, bowling and indoor bowls (Bowling Club), croquet, dance (Whaingaroa Youth Movement), kapa haka, exercise classes/gym (many..), martial arts (Raglan Kyokushin)

Sea & Water Activities: kayaking (Raglan Kayak & Paddleboard, Raglan Watersports), rowing (Rowing Club), waka ama (Waka Ama Club), boating, fishing (Fishing Club), SUPing, swimming (Swimming Club), kitesurfing (Kitesurf Club), diving/scuba diving, jet skiing, wakeboarding, water skiing, sailing (Sailing Club), surf life saving (Surf Life Saving Club)
Air Activities: paragliding, hang gliding

Active Recreation Strengths & Assets

Surfing
Whaanga Coast unique characteristics

The New Zealand west coast has very powerful swells, with waves predominantly arriving from the southwest on the Whaanga coast. The predominant wind is also from the southwest. The surf wraps around Tirohanga and bends along the coast towards Whaingaroa for approximately 2ks. Karioi Maunga lays majestically in the landscape and affords a semi sheltered environment for the coastline and surf areas.
The left hand point breaks are comprised of volcanic boulders that go out to approximately 6m depths and has a steeper gradient that assists to increase the power of the wave along with creating a more consistent wave due the rock bottom. Those characteristics on the Whaanga coast create some of the best surf breaks in Aotearoa. The Whaanga Coast surf breaks are recognised in the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 as being nationally significant along with being world renowned.

People
Because of the quality of surf and the uniqueness of the environment, there is a community of surfers who are proactive in protecting and managing their space.
Whaingaroa for many decades has become a destination for surfers who realise the uniqueness of the coastline and the surrounding area. Surfers are diverse group young, old, female, male, rich, poor, able and disabled all choosing surfing as a way to engage with their environment and recreation activities. Surfers make a large contribution to the Whaingaroa community either in business activities or through cultural, social and environmental organisations.
Whaingaroa has a natural and unique surfing environment and it offers plenty of opportunity in varied conditions. Ngarunui beach is the nursery break for beginner surfers. The Surf club has the nippers program that gives beginner’s confidence in the sea and surf. Beginners advance to surfing first Manu Bay, then Whale Bay then to Indicators. Advanced surfers then move to Tirohanga.
The Raglan Area School has a Surf Academy as part of the school curriculum. Point Boardriders is affiliated to Surfing New Zealand has been in existence for many years and has held club competitions at Manu Bay as part of the surf competition rounds. The Manu Bay competition event calendar is set in place by the Coastal committee, Point Boardriders and the Waikato District Council. The event calendar has to take into consideration the sharing of the Manu Bay space with other surfers.
Whaingaroa is also the home base for marine scientists such as eCoast which operates globally and provide expert technical and advisory services to both public and private sector clients. Metocean Solutions is another company that specialise in oceanography and meteorology.
Walking
Tracks and other assets
We have the beaches, Wainui Reserve, Kaitoke Walkway, Karioi tracks, Karamu Walkway, Pipiwharauroa Way and a few other, mainly unsignposted tracks. WDC Walking, Cycling & Bridle Trails Strategy 2016. Raglan Walking & Cycling A3 map. Objective 4 of Coastal Policy Statement 2010 says –
To maintain and enhance the public open space qualities and recreation opportunities of the coastal environment by:
• recognising that the coastal marine area is an extensive area of public space for the public to use and enjoy;
• maintaining and enhancing public walking access to and along the coastal marine area without charge
see also RN Transport doc
In 2016 council revised its walking strategy, but, although the maps of Raglan appear to offer some interesting new routes, it’s not planned to spend anything on them until at least 2022 (unless we successfully submit to the 2018 LTP) and the strategy is due for revision in 2021.
It does though say, “Council will ensure unformed legal roads are not blocked”. These form significant networks around Raglan, as can be seen on the Walking Access Maps.
Other
Still to consider:
Land activities: (gardening, horseriding (Pony Club), hunting, rugby, golf, running/hiking/tramping, netball, rock climbing, badminton (Badminton Club), Blowkarts – land yachts, bowling and indoor bowls (Bowling Club), croquet, dance, kapa haka, exercise classes/gym, martial arts, netball).
Sea & Water Activities: (kayaking, rowing (Rowing Club), waka ama (Waka Ama Club), boating, fishing (Fishing Club), SUPing, swimming (Swimming Club), kitesurfing, diving/scubadiving, jet skiing, wakeboarding, water skiing, sailing (Sailing Club), surf life saving (Surf Life Saving Club)) Air Activities (paragliding, hang gliding)
• recognising that the coastal marine area is an extensive area of public space for the public to use and enjoy;
 
Tennis
Tennis courts by the rugby grounds, courts at Te Mata school and courts at Raglan Area School?
Cycling
Raglan Mountainbiking Club, Cyclery Raglan, Raglan Events and Multisport Trust. Karioi Classic cycling event. Te Ara Kakariki mtb trails. Papahua pump track. Pipiwharauroa trail to windfarm. Roadside cycling.
 
Basketball
RAS outdoor court, RAS sports hall, a mini court with one hoop at Papahua, Most basketball activities are being run on a social basis or through RAS. Few social clubs with mainly Raglan locals play in Hamilton
Skateboarding
Fun skatepark, pump track, skaters of all ages, skatepark builder in town, skate shop, empty land, supportive community

Future Challenges & Opportunities

Key challenges that are specific to the active recreation  group:

Surfing
Whaingaroa has not been immune to national and global influences in terms of the changes to the various methods of equipment use that is undertaken in the surf zones of the Whaanga coast. Foil boards, Stand up paddle boards (SUP) jet skis, kayaks and wave skis are becoming more regular in the surf. Surf Schools have also got established and are increasing in number on the coast.
Whaingaroa for many decades has become a destination for surfers who realise the uniqueness of the coastline and the surrounding area. Accommodation venues have increased over the last number of years to cater for the increase in population and surf tourist influx. While surf tourism does have an economic benefit to the community, it does need to be managed to avoid adverse impacts such as overcrowding in the surf breaks.
AirBNB is an online app based portal that allows for individual rooms to be let for accommodation that adds to the availability for added tourism. New subdivisions are being created to cater for more residential areas for current and future growth.
Surfing relies on its environment and climate change and sea level rise has the potential to radically change the Whaanga coastline and to destroy the surf breaks. Water pollution, plastic in the ocean and storm water outlets along with waste water discharge to ocean is manmade. Effects to human health and aquatic life forms are part of the mix of adverse impacts.
Physical impacts such as boat ramps, breakwater and marina pose a threat to the surf breaks on the coastline. Activities like aquaculture along with offshore wind farms and marine energy generation could impact the swell corridor and cause large decrease in swell pattern and size. Seabed mining on the coast could also change the hydrological processes of the coastline.
Overcrowding of the surf line up is an increasing issue along with commercial activity. International Surfers who are not familiar with local protocol in the surf zone do cause major challenges to wellbeing of local surfers. The local youth of Whaingaroa need better transport out to the beaches and back to town. Additionally, Local council land use approvals and government policies can impact on the coastal environment.
Soccer
RFC has grown to the point that we can’t fit any more teams and pitches at the Domain and is really a juggling act trying to fit every game in on Saturday . Storage shed is also bursting at the seams and the club is looking into upgrading. Drainage of the grounds is an issue which will only get worse long term with rising sea levels.
Tennis
Tennis courts by rugby club are relatively new and in good condition but very exposed to wind and planting shelter trees on perimeter would increase its usage. Both Te Mata and Raglan Area School courts need maintenance. Need to get kids playing tennis at school again in order to grow the sport.
Basketball
RAS outdoor court, RAS sport hall, mini court with one hoop at Te Kopua, Most basketball activities are being run on a social basis or through RAS. Few social clubs with mainly Raglan locals play in Hamilton
Basketball
Mini court at Papahua gets overcrowded in main season and holiday periods. No official size indoor court to play in winter months.
Walking
We have the beaches, Wainui Reserve, Kaitoke Walkway, Karioi tracks, Karamu Walkway, Pipiwharauroa Way and a few other, mainly unsignposted tracks.
Cycling
Road safety for cycling, no specific cycling lanes, paths. Linking Raglan township to mtb trails and beaches/surf points for cyclists.
Skateboarding
Crowded skate parks, no street spots, traffic

For the key challenges that need to be considered across all focus areas, these are the questions we are asking:

Impact

  • How does this challenge impact on Active Recreation?
  • How does Active Recreation impact this challenge?

Opportunity:

  •  What is the opportunity for us in Active Recreation in relation to this challenge?

The key challenges:  (Please note that there may be areas that are still to be completed.)

Climate change

Impact: Sea level rises, algal blooms, adverse weather
Opportunity: Recreation business to use more solar. Increase biking (incl electric bikes) generally. Educate people participating in recreation about waste, sea pollution…

Inequity

Impact:
Opportunity: 

Growth in visitor numbers

Impact:
Opportunity: 

Implementing the Treaty of Waitangi

Impact: 
Opportunity: 

Modern societal values – individualism, competition, materialism

Impact:
Opportunity: 

Housing

Impact:
Opportunity:

Aspirations & Goals Identified by the Focus Groups with supporting projects, strategies and initiatives.  
(Please note that there may be areas that are still to be completed.)

Values behind the goals & aspirations
 		 Aspirations vision for long term
& Goals measurable, specific, achievable		 Strategies
Different ways goals can be achieved		 Projects & Initiatives
Specific actions, responsibility, funding		 Crossover
with other Focus Areas
Really clean water, no more wastewater to ocean discharge. –       Systems that filter the stormwater before it enters the harbour
–       The wastewater treatment plant has a high quality standard post treatment.
–       Land disposal of man-made pollutants such as wastewater discharge.		 Contribute to the public submission process on the wastewater upgrade 2022 Natural Enviro, Infrastructure
Protect the Whaanga coast and maintain a wild coastal landscape.
Manu Bay to be free from additional building development		 –       Manu Bay, in terms of commercial activities, is the place for surf competitions only.
–       Surf school activities are kept to Ngarunui beach.
–       Consideration for the Whaanga coastline to become an indigenous coastal surf reserve		 Contribute to the Transport reviews.
 
Contribute to the Waikato Regional Coastal plan review		 Natural Enviro
Recreation is accessible to all
 		 –       Transport services to beach and back for our local youth.
–       Provision of a shuttle bus service between Wharf and Manu  Bay during the Nov-April (est. 30min journey including stops at the Recreation Sports Park carpark, town centre, and Manu Bay).
–       Upgrade substandard road segments on Wainui Road segment to Ngarunui Beach
–       Wharf  to Wainui Beach trail		 Engage with Community Board, Raglan Chamber of Commerce and Waikato Regional Council to create transport for Rangatahi and others to recreational activities including surfing areas. Transport, Youth,
Recreation is safe –       Create a separate foil board zone to allow for separation from established surfing zones.
–       Support the new surf code of conduct and ensure that signage is placed in surfing areas for education purposes.		 Contribute to the Waikato Regional Council Navigation Safety Bylaw. Community Wellbeing
Sports are supported –       Forming and sustaining a tennis club that caters for all levels and ages would ensure the sport keeps growing and we utilise facilities we have Community Wellbeing, Youth,
We have suitable, safe facilities for sports teams, groups and individuals –       Finding alternative fields in the Whaingaroa area would give more options to play games if football keeps growing. Possible venues at the 4 surrounding schools, or on the airfield
–       Basketball.  There is room for expanding mini court at Papahua. Presence of a full indoor court would enable local teams to play competitions and host tournaments.
 
Walking and cycling are supported as they are already popular (as in the introduction above walking and cycling are two of the most popular recreation activities – 60% walk each year, 24.8% cycle) and they provide transport solutions, have a low impact on the environment and encourage exercise to improve health. They also attract tourists in a manner which minimises their adverse impacts on the area. ·      Wainui Reserve Management plan review could be very crucial to establish new walking trails at the Reserve
●      Rangitahi development will include walking and cycling tracks. These could be linked to Wainui Reserve and to Raglan to create a safe cycling network around Raglan.
●      Walkway/ mountain bike track build on paper road off Wainui Rd to DOC land on Karioi and across to Te Hutewai Rd.
●      Low traffic / off-road route to cycle to Waikato, possibly via Plateau and Fillery roads.
●      Better access to mtb trails through Wainui Reserve
●      Update the Raglan Walking & Cycling Map 2010
●      Footpath/cycleway along Wainui Rd to Riria Kereopa Memorial Dr – City to Sea cycleway  widening the footpath to allow for shared use alongside Wainui Rd.
●      Get the Council’s Walking Strategy implemented and contribute when its next up for review (2021).
●      Walkway from the Sports Reserve carpark to intersection of Wallis/Puriri St
●      Coordinate a network of walkways on public and private land, maybe private with charges, as at Akaroa (http://www.bankstrack.co.nz/), to provide a network of walkways along the southern shore of the harbour from Raglan to Te Uku and linking to Karioi.		 New and upgraded walking and cycling tracks. Transport
●      Skate park at Manu Bay
●      Skate park at Rangatahi
●      Official skate spots/path
●      Skate academy at school
●      Local skate company
●      Interscholastic comps
●      Skate comp on Bow Street
●      International competition
●      Skate/bike paths with features
●      Remove ‘no skate’ signs

Questions from the Active Recreation Group

1. What’s missing in our Snapshot?

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