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

About the event

Initial discussions between Council and the WSL began in 2024 as part of an exploratory concept, subject to funding and approvals.

The event was later confirmed through discussions between central Government and WSL, and funded through the Government’s Events Attraction Package. WSL selected Manu Bay because of its internationally recognised left-hand break and its suitability for elite competition.

Council’s role is focused on regulation and coordination. This includes reviewing and approving traffic and safety plans, ensuring environmental conditions are met, managing access to public spaces, and coordinating with emergency services and partner agencies.

Council is not delivering or funding the event.

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.

Wednesday 15 April – Sunday 19 April
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. 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.

Access and getting around

Maintaining vehicle access for residents is a priority. Measures are being put in place to ensure people can continue to get to and from their properties during the event.

Traffic management arrangements are still being finalised with the event organisers, with final details expected shortly. These will outline how traffic will operate, with a focus on maintaining resident access and ensuring safety during live competition days.

There may be temporary traffic management measures in place at times. Any restrictions will be limited to what is necessary and communicated in advance.

If your property is directly affected, you will receive a letter in late April outlining the confirmed arrangements, including any access passes if required. There is no need to apply for passes.

Broader updates will also be shared once arrangements are confirmed so residents can plan ahead.

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.

Raglan is expected to experience increased traffic and visitor numbers, particularly on competition days, similar to what the town experiences during a busy summer period.

To help manage this, there will be a traffic management plan, access arrangements for residents and businesses, and controlled parking and transport measures. The aim is to minimise disruption while maintaining safe access.

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.

A temporary alcohol ban will be in place at Manu Bay Reserve from midnight 15 May to midnight 22 May 2026 (up to seven consecutive days is the legal maximum) during the World Surf League Championship Tour. During this time, alcohol must not be brought into, possessed, or consumed within the banned area, unless it is purchased and consumed within an approved licensed area operating under a special licence.

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.

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

Local impacts and environment

The event is expected to bring a short-term boost in visitor spending and significant international exposure through the WSL Championship Tour. It also reinforces Raglan’s reputation as a world-class surf destination, with Manu Bay recognised internationally for its left-hand break.

There may also be opportunities for local involvement through businesses, suppliers, surfers and community groups. Council’s role is to help manage the impacts that come with an event of this scale.

Environmental requirements are part of the event’s approval conditions, and Council will monitor compliance. This includes managing waste, protecting coastal and reserve areas through defined event boundaries, and ensuring the site is reinstated after the event.

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.

The Manu Bay boardwalk is being replaced because it has deteriorated over time due to age and exposure to the coastal environment. This work will improve safety and public access in the long term.

The boat ramp works are short-term safety improvements ahead of the WSL event, with full renewal planned after the event.

These works were needed regardless, and the timing also means they will support safer access during a busy period.

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.

For accommodation information and a map of permitted freedom camping locations, visit the Raglan iHub accommodation webpage.

Raglan offers a range of accommodation across different price points, including hotels, motels, holiday homes, campgrounds, and self-contained vehicle sites. Some accommodation options can be viewed on the Raglan iHub accommodation webpage.

Go Raglan also hosts local accommodation listings, including private rentals and flat sections suitable for self-contained vehicles.

Visitors are encouraged to book early, as demand is expected to increase during the event window.

Council maintains the Manu Bay Reserve and road verges on Council-owned land. Verges alongside private property are the responsibility of the adjacent landowner. This reflects the level of service set through the 2025–2036 Long-Term Plan.

The roading corridor is maintained seasonally to manage safety and sightlines. This does not extend to vegetation on private property.

Council will ensure the reserve area is tidy ahead of the event window and appreciates the community’s support in maintaining the wider area.

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.

Engagement and other questions

Early discussions about the possibility of holding a WSL event in Raglan took place in 2024. These discussions were exploratory and dependent on external funding and regulatory approvals.

The 2026 New Zealand Pro Championship Tour event was later confirmed and funded by central government through its Events Attraction Package, administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

The approvals required to deliver the event do not automatically require a formal public consultation process under legislation.

Council recognises the strong local interest in the event and will continue sharing information and updates with the community as planning progresses.

Yes. As this is a World Surf League (WSL) event, initial engagement with tangata whenua was undertaken directly by WSL prior to the public announcement.

This included discussions in Raglan with members of Tainui and local surfing groups, as well as community members connected with the Karioi Reserve area where the event will take place.

Following the Government’s announcement that the event would proceed, further hui have been held with tangata whenua and Karioi Reserve Maaori landowners. Engagement is continuing as planning for the event progresses.

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.

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. Please email the vendor application form to info@euphoriagroup.co.nz.

If you are interested in sponsoring the event or have questions about sponsorship, please email newzealandpro@worldsurfleague.com.

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.