Raglan down gurgler in battle for best loo

The public dunnies at the Wainui reserve in Raglan have been judged best environmental toilets in the country, but the Herald did not enjoy a cold, unlit excursion there to try them out. Picture / Sarah Ivey

Kawakawa, you can breathe easy. Raglan is not about to topple you from your perch.

From experience, I can tell you that your world-famous toilets are not about to be overshadowed.

This week it was reported that Raglan's latest pride - its flash new toilet and changing-room facility - had won a national award for the "best loo" in New Zealand.

Or so the Waikato District Council press release would have us believe.

The toilet at Wainui Reserve, near Raglan Surf Club, actually won the top environmental loo prize, worth $1000.

The winner of the "most beautiful loo" category was jointly won by the Hundertwasser toilets of Northland and the Pukuatua St Palace, Rotorua.

There's no doubt the Raglan toilets are environmentally friendly and visually attractive - the blue corrugated iron roof that has been architecturally shaped like a wave is indeed innovative and impressive.

But in the practical sense, and without taking the p..., the pitfalls are obvious.

There are two toilet seats - one in the women's and one in the men's. There is no urinal. Queues could become a problem in summer, considering the building is in a carpark designed for up to 1000 people.

The height of summer could also bring a pong problem. You see, the toilets do not flush. They are souped up versions of a longdrop. Port-a-loos might have been a cheaper option.

The stench will supposedly be managed by large chimney funnels behind the building, but I don't think they'll be the only exit point for bad smells.

I was looking forward to utilising the loo, but it was too cold to go. A cold draught enters from the open spaces above and below the door and walls.

The thin material all around would also make it easy for those waiting outside to tell whether you are on number ones or number twos.

I'm glad I didn't go. Being an overcast day, it was kind of dark inside, and there were no lights. I may not have been able to see what I was doing.

Presumably, being environmentally friendly equates to not supplying any soap to wash your hands afterward. The basin that sits outside spurts cold water for a time, but there's not even a piece of pumice in sight to help with the scrubbing up.

As for the much-vaunted changing- room facility, it's a box-like wooden room with no clothing hooks. The only construction in that room is a single bench seat. The walls are just crying out for "decoration".

Around the corner are two showers.

I doubt I'd stay under them long enough to wash the black sand from my hair. The showers are outside in full view of the carpark.