There’s a lot happening in our community and we’re excited to share the latest updates with you. From the much-anticipated opening of Raglan Refill to meaningful community initiatives like Toitū Whāingaroa, the Water Tower mural and Neighbours Aotearoa, there’s plenty to get involved in. Read on to see how you can connect, celebrate and contribute to these projects.
Raglan Refill: Opening Soon!
Exciting news! Raglan’s newest package-free grocery store, Raglan Refill, is set to officially open its doors on Monday, 10th March. Store manager Eloise Deller and the team have been working tirelessly to get everything ready for launch and now the final countdown is on!
Raglan Naturally have been able to support this project with funding through their DIA community-led development partnership.
Follow Raglan Refill on Facebook for updates: facebook.com/RaglanRefill
Toitū Whāingaroa: Strengthening Community through Connection
NYE Toitū Float
Toitū: Strengthening Community through Connection recognises that achieving the flourishing partnership relationship aspired to in Te Tiriti o Waitangi requires learning and sharing: connection to stories of people and place that grew out of and are unique to Whāingaroa
New Year’s Eve Parade Activation
We kicked off 2025 in style with our Toitū Whāingaroa float in the New Year’s Eve parade. The wind gave our flags a great workout, and we were stoked to receive smiles, fist pumps, and cheers from the crowd.
Waitangi Day 2025: Community in Action for Te Tiriti
More than 350 people joined us for a day of learning, connection, and celebration of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Highlights included community action displays, weaving workshops, historical timelines, our Toitū te Tiriti Tiki Tour, and a collaborative banner-making session with street artist Dallas Mihinui.
A big thank you to all those who helped make the day so special, including Purelink for sponsoring our Wifi; Leo and the hangi crew; and all the volunteers who so generously gave their time. Before the day was finished we had already received suggestions on what to do for next year!
Follow the Toitū Facebook group for updates.
Workshop: Understanding the Treaty
Tangata Tiriti Workshop Raglan: New Understandings of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Thursday, 20th March, 9am–4:30pm
Cost: $20 (includes morning & afternoon tea)
Venue: To be confirmed
Register: raglannaturally.co.nz or email info@raglannaturally.co.nz
We highly recommend this workshop. Secure your place as it may be the only one this year. From participant:”So important to share this knowledge and informed voice. Thank you for blowing my mind, opening my eyes and inviting me into rewriting the history books going forward.”
HAMILTON WORKSHOP:
New understandings of Te Tiriti o Waitangi for all New Zealanders
When: 8th March 9am – 4pm
Where: 100 Morrinsville Road, Hillcrest, Kirikiriroa
Register: info@raglannaturally.co.nz
Water Tower Restoration Project
Raglan’s iconic water reservoir tower has undergone an incredible transformation thanks to the Whāingaroa Raglan Destination Managment Organisation (WRDMO) and muralist Theo Arraj. As a community-led project, the 240-square-metre mural design reflects local themes of te ao Māori, community and Whāingaroa’s natural landscape.
Raglan Naturally Community Trust worked alongside Waikato District Council, WEL Energy Trust, and Progressive Property to support WRDMO Project Manager Jacqueline Anderson with community engagement and funding support.
“Raglan Naturally was instrumental in helping us reach out to the community to collect feedback and most importantly, through them, we were able to obtain funding from the DIA Community-Led Development Fund for this open space to be re-activated as a visual resource and asset for our community,” said Jacqueline.
Sharing Land to Grow Food
Sharing Land to Grow Food is a food sovereignty project by Whāingaroa Environment Centre. The project connects landowners willing to share their land with people looking for space to grow food, whether for small urban gardening or larger-scale production and supports them to work together.
Update from the The Te Uku Growers Collective
The Te Uku Growers Collective is a project born from the WEC Local Food Sovereignty initiative. In our second summer season, we have seven families participating and we’ve expanded our crops to include onions alongside kūmara and butternut pumpkins. We built our own tāpapa kūmara from recycled materials, growing our tīpu from last year’s harvest. With the generosity of locals Meryn and Rob, who have shared their land for this kaupapa, our collective continues to grow, bringing together whānau to cultivate food, share knowledge, and strengthen local food resilience.
By sharing our learning journey, ultimately, we hope to contribute to the development of a network of growers and landowners that know the significance of local, healthy food and the joy that comes with it. Already we have run one workshop on food growing and plan to run more so you can visit us and see the collective in action
With Raglan Naturally’s support and funding the Environment Centre is keen to inspire and support more projects. Want to get involved?
Contact Tania: tania@Whāingaroa.org.nz
Learn more: Whāingaroa.org.nz/sharing-land-to-grow-food
Raglan Naturally supports the Whāingaroa community in achieving local visions and aspirations! Contact us to chat about any projects you have in mind:
Email info@raglannaturally.co.nz or visit raglannaturally.co.nz
