Philippa Stevenson: There's more to Raglan than great surfing

Chilling out in Raglan may never be the same again. The seaside town that is to Hamilton what Waiheke is to Auckland is launching its first one-stop exposition of the art and activities flourishing among its enterprising residents.

Last year, Raglan Area School's innovative surfing academy, which combines surfing with regular school work for budding professional surfers, was showcased to the four million viewers of Germany's top-rating TV channel, ARD, in one of two documentaries designed to capture the flavour of New Zealand.

But early next month, the west coast town plans to show an audience closer to home that there is a lot more to it than surfing and its famous left-hand break.

For those who like to nip across on a weekend for a leisurely coffee and a stroll along the beach or around the galleries, Raglan may never look as laid-back again.

The inaugural Raglan Arts'n' Expo on the first weekend in September is the result of a brainstorming session among a few residents little more than 10 weeks ago.

In that time a 30-member organisation has been established - Raglan Business and Tourism Inc - and energetic locals have discovered a whole new way of looking at the town's human and business resources, says local artist Robert Currie.

"The people of Raglan have really pulled together for this," he says.

Currie, like many a Raglan newcomer, used to regularly cross the hills from home in Hamilton to soak up the town's relaxing atmosphere for a day or two, but eventually moved permanently to the coast.

In the switch he dropped his old job as a motivational speaker, made a subtle but, for him, significant name change from Bob to Robert and, with a bit of encouragement from art-loving friends, developed his painting hobby into something more.

Now, as we contemplate from his front deck the stunning views of town, harbour and Mt Karioi that mean he need never leave home for inspiration, he tells me of his new job.

Currie has the grand sounding title of convener for the arts in the new society - and there's plenty of evidence stacked around his lounge to show there's a lot to convene. He's had to restrict the exhibition in the Raglan Town Hall to 32 artists out of a possible 70.

In a town of little more than 3000 people, it suggests a high artistic quotient. Their range is also wide, with oils, watercolours and mixed media art works sitting beside pottery, mosaics, stone carving, spinning, weaving, and jewellery. Potters and sculptors are also staging their own exhibition and demonstrations over the expo weekend in the old Raglan school.

"We started with a nice, quiet, little exhibition and it's just grown and grown," Currie says.

Although there are a couple of galleries in the town, Currie says many Raglan artists show and sell their work outside it. The expo is proving a chance for residents and visitors alike to discover just what talent resides within Raglan, he says.

On the expo weekend the central exhibition will be supplemented by art featuring in shops and artists' studios. Street theatre performers will be on the pavements and musicians in the cafes.

Barry Ashby's task has been to muster other Raglan activities into the expo. He's rounded up 24 exhibitors ranging from herbal medicine and alternative therapy practitioners to wind surfing and horse trekking.

Raglan does a nice line in eco-tourism, he says, including guided kayaking tours around the harbour and bus tours to Mt Karioi and the stunning Bridal Veil Falls.

During the expo, special short harbour cruises will run from what Currie reckons is Raglan's best-kept secret - its wharf. He's constantly amazed to find even regular visitors to the town, which has a fishing fleet, are unaware of the existence of the busy wharf.

History buffs also plan to reveal some of Raglan's rich past on the walking tours that have thrived since they were being established last year.

Raglan, with its Whaingaroa harbour, was an early contact point between Maori and Pakeha.

Wesleyan missionary James Wallis and his wife, Mary Ann, set up the first Christian church in the Raglan district in 1835 and the first settlers arrived about 20 years later.

Nowadays, just a 20-minute walk takes in a potted history of 15 significant buildings.

Ashby has confined Raglan's accommodation providers to poster displays so their large number doesn't overwhelm other exhibits. I suspect they are bound to be sought out anyway.

Anyone checking out the little town's surprising vitality is going to need a lie down.