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Raglan - why we keep heading back

Raglan has been part of my life since I was a kid. It's not somewhere we get to as often as we'd like, but every time we do, it feels like coming home. Here's why this place means so much to me - and why it's inspired not one but two of my designs.

A Place That Pulls You Back

Some places feel like they're stitched into your childhood. Raglan is one of those places for me. My love of it started young - really young. My dad is a surfer, so our family holidays were never really planned in the traditional sense. They were dictated by the swell. And for obvious reasons, Raglan was almost always at the top of the list.

Same Camp , New Generation

This was way before the internet, so we'd rock up to the campground and that was that - and honestly, that simplicity was part of the magic. One of our favourite family photos is me and my sister brushing our teeth inside the cabin at Raglan Holiday Park - in a pot of all things!? Maybe that's just what we did in the 80s!?

Making Our Own Memories Here

Fast forward a few decades and I'm doing the same trip with my own kids, staying in the same campground - the cabins have had a bit of a refresh since then, thankfully! Watching the kids love Raglan is one of the best parts of going back. The campground has created plenty of memories on its own, but so has the scooter trip over the bridge into town, stopping at the wave mural, poking around the quirky shops. It just has that all round great vibe that kids pick up on too.

the raglan vibe

Raglan has a vibe unlike anywhere else I've been in New Zealand. It's relaxed without being sleepy, creative without trying too hard. The coffee and food scene is genuinely great - a Raglan Roast flat white is basically a non-negotiable part of any visit - and there's always something to do without it ever feeling like a tourist trap. It's the kind of place where you arrive and immediately exhale. Every time.

Watching the Waves

Dad tried many times to teach me to surf. But honestly? I'm perfectly happy on a boogie board, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. What I've always loved most is just watching the waves. Even when the surf isn't great, there's something about sitting near the ocean that instantly resets everything. I've since learned that Raglan's consistency comes down to the rocky bottom rather than sand - which is what makes the waves here so special. Back then I just knew I loved watching it. Now I know why.

The Ocean Taught Me to See

I think all those hours watching the water actually shaped me as a photographer. You start to notice things - light, movement, the way a wave builds before it breaks. That quiet, careful observation became part of how I see the world. These days I'm more likely to be found behind the camera than on a boogie board - I love getting in the water with my underwater housing to photograph the kids. Even in summer I need a wetsuit top, but I don't mind. If I'm not shooting I'm standing in the shallows or sitting on the hillside watching the waves roll in. Either way, I'm happy near the ocean.

the sunsets though...

There's more to Raglan than just the surf and good coffee. West coast sunsets are something else entirely - and Raglan's are up there with the very best of them. Something about the way the light drops over the Tasman, the sky putting on a show as the sun goes down. No two are ever the same. If you haven't watched a west coast sunset lately, add it to the list.

Put the Camera Down

I love trying to capture the sunsets, but just as often I'll put the camera down and actually take it in. Sitting there watching the sky change colour, the light slowly dropping out over the water - it's the kind of moment that's hard to photograph and hard to forget. Some things are just better experienced than captured. Raglan has a way of reminding you of that.

Raglan, Through My Lens

It's probably no surprise that Raglan has found its way into my work. Two designs - one inspired by the surf, one by the sunsets - and now fine art prints too. Three different ways to bring a little piece of this place home. All very different moods, but all very Raglan. You can find them all here.

Fine art

Raglan Sunset

Captured at Indicators, one of the best spots to watch the light settle over the water. A real west coast golden hour moment, printed locally on tees, hoodies and hats. Perfect for anyone who loves this place.

sunset gear

raglan surf

Inspired by those long, consistent left-hand breaks that make this place world famous. A real photo of Raglan's surf, printed locally on tees, hoodies and hats. Made to wear with pride.

blue surf gear

Who Does Raglan Remind You of?

For me it's my dad first and foremost - he's the reason  we went there in the first place. But these days it also reminds me of the friends we hang with when we're there, and of course my kids, who are busy making their own Raglan memories. I'd love to know who it reminds you of - drop a comment below.

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