As the Herald's summer campaign to find the country's greatest beach continues, we take a look at some of the nominations so far.
Ronic Darbari Mt Maunganui Main Beach is New Zealand's best beach, not only because of the vibrant green water and lush white sand but it is a meeting place for adventure and peace. The surfers on the beach and a dad and son playing frisbee can always co-exist on the beach without tension. Personally, I enjoy the sanctuary created by the Mount towering over the beach as it is makes me feel safe, secure and strong. This essence makes Mt Maunganui beach an epic spot for all beach goers.
Mt Maunganui. Photo / Ronic Darbari
Kay Durrans I love Gooseberry Flat on Great Barrier Island. It is not a big beach but has a big heart. Beautiful shady pohutukawa trees, a rope swing, clean, clear water, a playground and a shop and toilets just around the corner. It is just perfect.
New Chums Beach, Coromandel. Previously named by National Geographic as being one of the top 20 beaches in the world, how could it not be NZ's best? It is simply stunning. It is reached via a relatively short rock-hop and bush track around the point from the equally beautiful Whangapoua Beach and that first sight of New Chums through the grove of Nikau palms is nothing short of breathtaking. Pristine sand, overhanging cliff faces, long tendrils of ancient pohutukawa to shelter under, and a backdrop in which there is currently not a single sign of human intervention. New Chums Beach must be bought by the government for the people of NZ to stop current plans for property development. It would be a tragedy for all of NZ if development went ahead. New Chums is #1, let's keep it that way.
New Chums Beach. Photo / Jason Valentine-Burt
Karen Teo
Oakura beach in Taranaki. Black sands, no crowds and amazing sunsets.
Oakura Beach, Taranaki.
Mark Inman
Ohope Beach, as it's New Zealand's best-kept secret. It is 11km of beautiful beach which is very safe for swimming. It is never overcrowded and is great for fishing, surfing, SUP-ing and blokarting.
Ohope Beach. Photo / Mark Inman
Cast your vote This month the Herald is searching for NewZealand's best beach and we want to hear your choices.
We've assembled a panel of beach experts — Associate Professor Karin Bryan, of Waikato University, Surf Life Saving New Zealand boss Matt Williams, and singer-songwriter and surfer Jamie McDell — who will sift the entries down to a shortlist of 10 great beaches.
Throughout January, the Herald will be publishing profiles of these coastal contenders and readers will be able to vote to find the ultimate winner.
At the end of the month, we will be naming New Zealand's Best Beach. We're looking at factors such as local amenities, family friendliness, green credentials and "X-factor".
But the final choices and the reasons are up to you, so tell us which beach you love the most and why.
