Surf mecca to romantic film set - Raglan going Netflix

Tuesday, 16 January 2024

George’s Beach Club was one of the Raglan businesses involved in the filming, which has created a buzz in the town.

Raglan’s transforming from surf mecca to romantic Netflix set from Hawaii this week.

After checking out towns across Australia, South America and New Zealand, Raglan stood out to be a “sweet-looking town” for Hiroshi Kurosaki, the director for Beyond Goodbye.

Raglan not only fitted what Kurosaki had imagined for a romantic beach town where a heartbreaking love story began, the welcoming locals also inspired a new scene.

From left are producer Matt Noonan, director Hiroshi Kurosaki and producer Teppei Chikami.

After visiting Raglan Wharf and seeing the commercial fishermen, Kurosaki loved how relaxed and welcoming the locals were. Inspired, he added a scene into the story where the actors make small talk with the local fishermen.

Producer Teppei Chikami said he felt attracted by Raglan’s history when the team was welcomed by a pōwhiri on Sunday.

Filming locations ranged from Ngarunui Beach, Harbour View Hotel, Raglan Wharf and many local businesses.

Beyond Goodbye is due to come out at the end of 2024.

Across the week, the crew has hired around 60 extras for the set, many living locally.

Kurosaki and Chikami said they had a great experience working with the New Zealand team. They “deeply appreciate the support” given by the Waikato Screen office, and everyone who made filming in Raglan possible.

Waikato Screen’s Erin Griffiths is pleased with the production team’s effort in making the opportunity more beneficial to the region, including choosing local catering services and hiring local talents.

The film crew is using George's Beach Club as a base for equipment during filming purposes. Pictured are George's Beach Club owners Tracy Stratford and Dean Teddy.

Considering the already busy holiday town, Whāingaroa general ward councillor Lisa Thomson said it’s a “balancing act” to make sure the locals feel comfortable, and providing a valuable international opportunity for those interested in filmmaking.

With around 130 crew members, producer Matt Noonan said this is a medium-sized production for New Zealand.

The actual economic impact of the filming is yet unknown, but local businesses are optimistic.

Lisa James, Raglan Business Chamber chair said if Raglan is known as a film-friendly town, the town will hopefully get “money coming in during the off season”.

“We would like to have bit of a cushion and we'd like to have extra activity rather than just tourism and local business. ”

A few businesses were hired out for the film set.

Bev Oliver was fascinated watching the film crew.

George’s Beach Club is one of them. The beach town restaurant decorated by bright yellow fences and swing seats only needed a few pot plants to look Hawaii.

“The filming is good for the town, it’s good for everyone,” Dean Teddy, owner of the restaurant said.

And why Raglan?

Bev Oliver, spending her summer holiday in the town, when asked about her thoughts on showing Raglan as Hawaii, was surprised but said it has the “colours.”

Director Kurosaki emphasised to Waikato Times that many parts in Raglan are “very unique”.

“We’re not treating it as a substitute for anything else. We chose here because we fell in love with Raglan.”

The romance story between the two Japanese lovers started when they met on a coffee plantation in Hawaii, which historically had been operated by many Hawaiian Japanese.

A logistics factor also brought New Zealand back on the film makers’ radar.

Noonan said that “the timing around the American industrial action meant there was a seasonal shift in Hawaii,” which drove film makers to look for alternatives.

The show is aiming to release in November 2024, and Kurosaki hopes Raglan locals will continue the relationship by watching their town on screen.