Raglan Rock has entered a new chapter, with long-time guide Harry Series officially taking over the adventure business from founder Gareth Jones.
While Gareth has stepped back after moving to Melbourne in August, Harry is anything but new to the operation – he joined the guiding team in 2017 and has been managing operations for the past five years.
Read more: Fresh era of adventure at Raglan Rock“Gareth’s been in the background, but I’ve been running things day-to-day,” Harry says. Taking the leap to buy the business was “scary but exciting,” but he says Gareth is fully supportive of the handover.
Founded in 2012, Raglan Rock has grown from rock-climbing tours to include canyoning, caving and outdoor education.
Harry has played a big part in expanding school camps and outdoor education programmes. “We saw a gap for school groups wanting to come here but no one was organising the whole experience,” he says. Raglan Rock now coordinates accommodation, catering and activities alongside local surf and kayak operators.
Harry is also keen to build stronger pathways for Raglan Area School students into tourism careers. This summer, Star Knuiman joined the team after completing rescue training in the canyon. “There just aren’t enough Kiwis doing this work,” Harry says.
Looking forward, he hopes to introduce twin zip lines across one of the canyon waterfalls. Whether canyoning, caving or exploring their own backyard, he says Raglan Rock is ready to show locals and visitors there’s fun to be had in the great outdoors.
