NZ Herald's Best Beach competition is back for 2024 and we need you to tell us your favourite. Here's everything you need to know about how to nominate and then vote for NZ's best beach. Video / Molly Floyd
The Herald is searching for New Zealand’s Best Beach and we need your nominations. Find out how to get involved, and take inspiration from Ahikāroa and Celebrity Treasure Island star Turia-Schmidt Peke, who reveals which beaches she’ll be nominating.
What do you love about the beach?
What I love about beaches is that they remind us how big the world really is. You can be standing on a beach and know that it reaches so far out to different lands, languages, cultures and people. It’s one of the best things about nature.
Eat! I love a beach lunch. Chicken rolls, crunchy chips, hot chips, ice creams etc. I also love to make sand castles with my nieces and nephews. And of course, tan!
What do you have planned this summer?
Honestly, to not do much. I had a very busy December, work-wise. So for the rest of this summer I plan to take a good break. Go to the West Auckland beaches with whānau and friends. Relax and enjoy summer before another busy year!
Where’s your favourite family-friendly beach?
Cornwallis in West Auckland. It’s very calm for kids to enjoy. Great big trees to keep the family sheltered. I have had a lot of family birthdays there.
Where’s your favourite city beach?
Is Waiheke included as city? Because I actually was stranded on a beach at Waiheke once. It was beautiful. But being stranded there for hours probably wasn’t the best.
What is your favourite surf beach?
I don’t surf at all. But I love Piha. It’s pretty rough out there but surfers love it.
Piha Beach is one of NZ's best surfing beaches. But will it make the finalists' list in the Herald's search? Photo / Auckland Unlimited
Favourite camping beach in NZ?
My whānau and I used to camp at Waihī Beach when we were growing up. It’s a great beach and campsite. I would love to go back there as an adult.
My friends and I used to always do this Anawhata walk in the Waitākeres. After a hike, you’d end up at this private beach on the other side of Piha. It’s amazing. Hardly anyone goes there. My friends and I would spend the whole day there.
Catch up on all five seasons of Ahikāroa at ahikaroa.nz and rewatch Turia Schmidt-Peke in Celebrity Treasure Island at TVNZ+
To submit your nominations for NZ’s Best Beach, go to nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach or fill out the entry form below. Nominations are open until January 8, and the finalists in all five categories will be revealed on January 15. You’ll then be able to vote for the ultimate winners.
