Essentials
- City
- Raglan, Waikato, New Zealand
- Population
- 3,300 (Permanent), swells to 15,000+ in peak summer
- Internet Speed
- Fiber available in town center (up to 900 Mbps); Starlink common in rural outskirts
- Currency & Banking
- 1 NZD ≈ 0.61 USD. 1 USD ≈ 1.64 NZD. Major banks: ANZ, BNZ, ASB
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality (Town supply)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets (three-flat-pin)
- SIM Card
- Spark, One NZ (formerly Vodafone), and Skinny; Skinny is best value for data
- Banking for Expats
- Wise (formerly TransferWise) is highly recommended; ANZ for local accounts
- Accommodation
- Holiday rentals (Airbnb), Raglan West boutique stays, and shared surf houses
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, 'EFTPOS' (debit) and credit cards accepted everywhere, even at small stalls
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Bookabach (approx. $180-$350 NZD per night for a cottage)
- Budget Accommodation
- Raglan Backpackers (approx. $40 NZD dorm, $110 NZD private), Solscape Eco Retreat ($50-$120 NZD)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Bow Street/Town Center (proximity to shops/cafes) or Manu Bay (surfing)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Raglan West or Lorenzen Bay (quieter, residential, good fiber internet coverage)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Raglan Creative Market Office (Casual desk space sometimes available) or drive to Panetone in Hamilton (40 mins away)
- Best Cafe for Work
- The Shack (Bow St) - Great Wi-Fi and vibes; Raglan Social Club (plenty of seating)
- Networking Events
- Raglan Business Chamber meetups; Raglan Community Radio volunteer nights
- Social Events for Expats
- Raglan Community Noticeboard (Facebook) for local meetups and surf clubs
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; Raglan Shuttle (Local service, approx. $50 NZD to Hamilton)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Cyclery Raglan (e-bike rentals approx. $80 NZD per day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Ngarunui Beach (Safe swimming and learning to surf)
- Top Regional Airline
- Air New Zealand (Flying into Hamilton Airport HLZ)
- Top International Airline
- Air New Zealand, Qantas (via Auckland International AKL)
- Highway Access
- State Highway 23 (Connects Raglan to Hamilton)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Hamilton Transport Centre (45km away) for InterCity buses
- Public Transport Passes
- Bee Card (Used for the 23 Raglan-Hamilton bus service)
- Regional Travel
- The 23 Bus (approx. $5-10 NZD with Bee Card to Hamilton)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hamilton Waikato Hospital (45-minute drive for emergencies)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Loft Raglan ($22 NZD drop-in); Soul Centre
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Raglan Gym (Bankart St) - Casual passes available approx. $20 NZD
- Laundry Services
- Raglan Laundromat (Walls Lane) - Self-service
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Limited/None. Local takeaway pickup is the norm (Raglan Fish at the Wharf)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fresh Fish and Chips from Raglan Fish ($15-$25 NZD)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Shack, Volare (Bakery), and Georges Beach Club
- Best Dessert Spots
- Raglan Gelato (handmade local flavors)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Raglan Growers’ Market (Fridays); Four Square Supermarket (Town center)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mighty Ape (NZ-based), TradeMe (Local eBay equivalent)
- Grocery Delivery
- Countdown (from Hamilton) delivers to Raglan addresses
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Harbour View Hotel and YOT Club (Live music weekends)
- Local Brewery
- Workshop Brewing (Local craft beer taproom)
- Wine Bars
- Isobar (Craft cocktails and NZ wine list)
- Street Food Stalls
- Raglan Creative Market (Monthly, 2nd Sunday)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Ulo’s Kitchen (Japanese/Eclectic Fusion); Namaste Kitchen (Indian)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Bridal Veil Falls (Waireinga); Manu Bay (World-famous left-hand break)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Raglan Old School Arts Centre
- Historical Sites
- The Raglan Wharf (Historic trading post transformed into shops)
- Religious Sites
- Surfside Church; St Peter's Anglican Church
- Annual Events
- Raglan Arts Weekend (Easter); Mauao Surf Competition
- Cultural Districts
- Wharf Street art precinct
- Theater Venues
- Old School Arts Centre (Cinema and small stage)
- Local Markets
- Raglan Creative Market (Old School Arts Centre)
- Music Scene
- YOT Club (Famous for international DJs and local bands)
- Street Art
- Murals on Bow Street and around the Raglan West silos
- Cooking Classes
- The Herbal Dispensary (occasional wellness/foraging workshops)
- Art Galleries
- Jet Collective, La La Land, Tony Sly Pottery
- Historic Buildings
- Harbour View Hotel (Built 1866)
- Local Heritage
- Strong Māori heritage (Tainui iwi); Whaingaroa is the traditional name
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mt Karioi (Hiking trail with coastal views)
- National Parks Nearby
- Pirongia Forest Park (1 hour drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Wainui Reserve tracks; Pipiwharauroa Way (Wind farm walk)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Michael Hope Lookout (Top of SH23 entering town)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Whaingaroa Harbour (Herons, Oystercatchers)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly regulated; check Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) for seasonal bans
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- NZ Post (Bow Street); CourierPost for international
- Tech Repair Services
- Limited; usually requires a trip to Hamilton (PB Tech or Apple Resellers)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Raglan Backpackers (Common room)
- Language Classes
- Te Reo Māori classes at local marae or community center
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Raglan Library (Bow St) - Free Wi-Fi and quiet tables
- Community Centers
- Raglan Trust Hospital & Community Centre
- Gaming Lounges
- None; focus is on outdoor lifestyles
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- SkyCity Hamilton (45-minute drive)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $11,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $440,000 NZD - though rare, mostly small baches)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $340,000 NZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $630,000 NZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $480,000 NZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $800,000 NZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $7,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $600,000 NZD)
- Corporate Tax
- 28%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 33% (Resident Withholding Tax)
- Tax System
- New Zealand residents taxed on worldwide income; 4-year temporary tax exemption for new migrants
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 39% (for income over $180,000 NZD)
- VAT
- GST (Goods and Services Tax) of 15% (Included in displayed prices)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, complex rules apply to NZ residents with foreign interests
- Property Tax
- Council Rates (Based on land value, approx. $3,000 - $5,000 per year)
- Property Transaction Tax
- No Stamp Duty, but potential 'Bright-line Test' (Capital gains tax) if sold within 2-10 years
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Transitional Resident status provides 4 years of tax relief on most foreign passive income