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Waikato District Council - Te Kaunihera aa Takiwaa o Waikato

World Surf League Championship Tour

Manu Bay, Raglan, coastline with swell from viewpoint


Raglan will host the New Zealand Pro, the fourth stop on the World Surf League Championship Tour, in May 2026.

Event window: 15 – 25 May 2026.
This is an 11-day window to allow flexibility around surf and weather conditions. Competition is expected to run for approximately four days within that window. Not every day will be a competition day, and confirmed dates will be published closer to the event.
Location: Manu Bay, Raglan 
Who’s competing: The top 36 men’s and 24 women’s international surfers.

This event is run by the World Surf League. Council’s role is to carry out its regulatory responsibilities and manage local impacts, including public access, safety, and traffic.

What Council is focused on

Safety and crowd management 
  • Review and approval of traffic and pedestrian management plans
  • Safe viewing areas and clear pedestrian routes  
  • Emergency access maintained at all times.
Minimising disruption 
  • Advance communication of any access or traffic changes  
  • Traffic management to support safety and emergency access  
  • Guidance for residents, commuters, and local businesses.
Protecting the environment 
  • Event conditions requiring waste management and environmental controls 
  • Monitoring compliance during the event 
  • Removal of temporary infrastructure and reinstatement of the site following pack-down. 

What to expect closer to May 2026 

As planning and approvals are finalised, confirmed details will be published, including:

  • Competition schedule: which days will run within the 15–25 May window 
  • Access to Manu Bay: what stays open, what may be temporarily restricted during competition periods, and arrangements for lay days (non-competition days)
  • Parking and traffic: where to park and any drop-off zones 
  • Noise and activity: build and pack-in times, event hours, and busy periods 
  • Local services: toilets, first aid points, accessibility information.

This page will be updated as information is confirmed. 

Frequently asked questions

Manu Bay was selected by the World Surf League because it offers a high-quality, consistent left-hand point break, which is rare on the Championship Tour and well suited to elite competition. It also has long-standing international significance as a surfing location.

No. Council is not funding or running the event.

Central government is supporting the event through its Events Attraction Package, which funds major international events to support regional visitation and economic activity.

Council’s costs relate to its normal regulatory and coordination responsibilities, including managing local impacts and community safety.

Yes. The WSL Championship Tour event at Raglan will be free for the public to view from designated public areas. 

Venue capacity and access arrangements are still being finalised. While there will be no ticket charge to watch the event, there may be costs associated with transport services or event parking. Further details will be shared as they are confirmed.

The event is expected to increase visitation during May, which is typically a quieter period for the visitor economy. The overall impact will depend on competition days and weather conditions. Opportunities for local participation may include involvement from surfers, businesses, suppliers and community groups.
Where possible, local businesses, surfers, and community groups will be involved in and around the event. Further information will be shared as details are confirmed.
Protecting the environment and managing pressure on local infrastructure are key considerations in event planning. The event will operate under agreed conditions and regulatory approvals, with compliance monitored throughout delivery.

Protecting Raglan’s coastal character and natural environment is a long-standing priority for Council and is reflected in planning rules, consent processes, and management decisions. 

For this event, this includes: 

  • Managing environmental, traffic, and access impacts through planning, approvals, and event conditions
  • Ensuring public safety and maintaining access where possible
  • Requiring the site to be reinstated and returned to its usual public use after the event 

The event does not change underlying planning rules or long-term protections for Manu Bay, and does not provide for permanent commercial use or alter the site’s long-term planning status. 

Manu Bay and Whale Bay are accessed via a single road, and this constraint is well understood. Traffic management, emergency access, and safety planning are being developed with the World Surf League, Council regulatory teams, New Zealand Police and emergency services. 
 
Emergency access will be maintained at all times. Traffic management planning is being coordinated with emergency services to ensure response routes remain available during the event.
Traffic and parking impacts are expected during competition days, particularly around Manu Bay. Temporary traffic management measures may be required to support safety and emergency access. Planning is underway, and confirmed details will be shared as soon as they are finalised.
Yes, resident access will be maintained. Any temporary changes to access or parking will be communicated in advance.

Yes. Access to businesses will be maintained, although temporary traffic or parking adjustments may be required on competition days. 

Any changes will be communicated in advance so businesses, staff, and customers can plan accordingly. 

Yes. Manu Bay will remain publicly accessible outside competition periods. Access arrangements for lay days (non-competition days) will be confirmed closer to the event and prioritise safety and operational requirements.

During live competition, temporary restrictions may apply for safety reasons. These will be limited to the minimum necessary and communicated clearly in advance. 

Boat ramp access is being considered as part of event planning. If any temporary restrictions are required for safety or event operations, these will be limited in duration and communicated well in advance. Event organisers are working with local fishing and surfing groups as part of this planning.
Yes. Kaimoana gathering can continue under existing rules. Any temporary safety restrictions during competition periods will be clearly communicated. 
No. Private drone use will not be permitted in the event area during competition periods. The World Surf League will operate an approved drone to capture official event footage. Additional drones create safety risks, interfere with event operations, and increase the risk of collisions. Any temporary drone restrictions will be clearly communicated ahead of the event.

Council’s existing freedom camping rules will continue to apply.  

Council is assessing whether additional temporary freedom camping capacity may be appropriate for this period, in line with the Freedom Camping Bylaw and required approvals. Any changes will be confirmed and communicated in advance.

Visitors should plan ahead and consider local campgrounds and other accommodation options.

Noise management will be addressed through the event consenting processes. Any noise limits or conditions will be communicated ahead of the event.

Yes. Iwi and local tangata whenua were engaged prior to the public announcement of the event and will continue to be involved throughout planning and delivery.

Their involvement includes providing guidance on local tikanga and cultural protocols to support a safe and respectful event.

  • Friday 1 May – Sunday 3 May 
    Backdoor King and Queen of the Point (local trials event) held at Manu Bay. The winner of the men’s and women’s division will qualify for the main competition.
  • Wednesday 13 May 
    Powhiri welcome ceremony
  • Thursday 14 May
    Official training day, including the Rising Tides initiative for junior surfers.
  • Presentations and closing ceremony TBC. 

No. Approval of the 2026 WSL event does not signal ongoing or recurring events at Manu Bay. 

Any future event proposals would require separate consideration through the relevant approval and regulatory processes, including assessment of potential impacts. There is no blanket approval for future events at this stage. 

After the event, the site will be reinstated and returned to its normal public use. Council and event partners will review how the event was managed, including impacts and what worked well or could be improved. 

Council will also seek feedback from the community to help inform learnings from the event. 

No. This will be the first time New Zealand has hosted a full World Surf League Championship Tour event featuring both the men’s and women’s divisions. 

A standalone women’s Championship Tour event was previously held in Taranaki between 2014 and 2016. 

Vendor and supplier procurement is being managed by Fabrik on behalf of the World Surf League. Expressions of interest can be directed to Fabrik, who are coordinating all contractors and event suppliers, at adam@euphoriagroup.co.nz. 
If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please contact our Customer Services team on 0800 492 452 or email info@waidc.govt.nz.

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