A new community impact report has found strong support for the inaugural World Surf League Championship Tour in Whāingaroa Raglan, while highlighting opportunities to strengthen future events.
Commissioned by Go Raglan with funding support from Raglan Naturally Community Trust, the report draws on feedback from 59 local businesses, 351 residents and 20 stakeholder interviews to provide a broad picture of the event’s impact on the community.
Almost three-quarters of residents rated the event’s overall impact as very positive. Accommodation and hospitality businesses reported the strongest economic benefits, while stakeholders pointed to increased community pride, youth inspiration and international exposure.
The research also points to areas where future events could deliver greater value, including earlier communication, stronger partnerships with mana whenua and community organisations, greater environmental leadership, and more opportunities for local businesses and residents to participate.
The findings suggest that successful major events need to balance visitor growth and economic activity with community wellbeing, environmental stewardship and the values that make Whāingaroa Raglan unique.
Stakeholder interviews reinforced the potential for the WSL Championship Tour to showcase more than world-class surfing, highlighting opportunities to share the community’s culture, environmental values and collaborative spirit.
Go Raglan representative Charlie Young says the findings will help inform discussions with event organisers, partners and the wider community from the early planning stages of future major events.
“The learnings from this study give us a chance to build on what worked and do things even better next time. It’s an opportunity to create lasting benefits for our people and place, and make sure the community’s voice helps shape how future events are planned and delivered,” he says.
The full Whāingaroa Raglan World Surf League Impact Report is available from Go Raglan. The Corona Cero NZ Pro was proudly supported through the Government’s Events Attraction Package.