Top surfers heading to Taranaki

Paige Hareb is currently third on the women's world surfing tour. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

The world's premier women's surfers are coming to New Zealand after Taranaki was today confirmed to host a round of Women's World Tour next year.

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) announced the Taranaki region would host a leg from April 14-18 at "mobile venue options" including Fitzroy Beach, Rocky Point, Stent Road and Opunake.

ASP chief executive Brodie Carr was pleased New Zealand's first hosting of a world tour event would be at such an appropriate venue.

"The region is ripe with world class waves and it's a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talents of our outstanding female athletes," he said on the tour's website.

New Zealander Paige Hareb, in her debut year on the tour, hails from Oakura and was delighted her home region would be exposed to the world.

Hareb, 19, is third through the first two rounds of the 2008 tour and hoped the arrival of the sport's biggest names would provide inspiration to other young New Zealand hopefuls.

"I know a lot of the girls have never been before and have wanted to come here for a long time," she said.

"The surf is really consistent around that time of the year so I can't wait to show the girls what my coast has to offer. It's going to be pretty exciting."

ASP women's tour manager Brooke Farris said Hareb's rapid rise and popularity had been a focal point in negotiations, driven by her father Mike Hareb, who is the Surfing Taranaki president.

"It's fantastic to see the people of New Zealand putting all their support behind tour rookie Paige Hareb.

"It will be very exciting to see Paige bring the tour to her local town and perform in front of the masses."

The event will draw a large worldwide television audience.

Taranaki will also host an ASP grade three girl's pro junior event, boasting the richest prize purse on the ASP Australasia Pro junior girls series of A$8000 ($9908).

- NZPA