Coastalsurvey

NZ – No part of New Zealand is more than 70km from the coast. With a population of only 3.6 million in two islands comprising a total landmass slightly larger than the United Kingdom, there’s lots of waves to go around. Kaikoura, Timaru, Oamuru, and Dunedin are all surf centers on the east coast of the South Island. The southern tip of NZ, the Foveaux Strait, cops the full fury of the roaring 40s. Waves there are rumored to be beyond big. Cold too, bring your 5/4 booties and gloves. On the west coast of the SI most of the waves are to be found between Hokitika and Westport. The most famous — and famously crowded — wave in NZ is Raglan, on the North Island’s west coast near Hamilton. South of Raglan, check the Surfer’s Highway and the Taranka Bight. Flights between Oz and NZ are cheap and wheels are also inexpensive. Especially since NZ does not require the heavy duty auto insurance other countries mandate. — Ed.

1997/11/07
TBear

New Zealand has a lot more surf than most people presume.
The book referred to below is likely the one written by Wayne Warwick and is available by order in the US at a good bookstore. You didn’t mention which Island you were going to.

The West coast of both islands tend to have the most surf, since they are exposed to the roaring 40″s., but they can also tend to be blown out more on average. Their summer can bring cyclone swells to the East coast if a cyclone is hanging around from New Caledonia to Tonga.

And my experience is that the West coast often has surf much like the West coast of Australia. You just have to wait until the conditions get right or the wind dies down. Get the SURFER “surf report” for both islands and you will know most of the spots.

If you arrive in Auckland check the surf report and weather report. Piha is probably your best bet for surf. I recommend renting a car if you will be there less than a month. If your stay is longer, buy a used car, preferably a wagon or caravan and you can camp in it too.

Head down to Raglan for a start then head down to Opuanki Beach and check out Taranaki area. This area is pretty consistent for surf. There are a lot of spots, but there is also growing surf population. I enjoyed Stent Road, where I cooked up some paua (mini-abalone) and pippis (green colored mussels) for a free dinner courtesy of mother ocean after an excellent surf. You can camp here without any one bothering you. As you travel you will find that you can camp in a lot of places, especially around rivers.

I had good surf around Bay of Islands to the north, and Whangamata, and Gisbourne to the east. On the South Island, the water gets colder, but you will be there in summer and won’t be literally freezing.

There is often surf near Invercargill to the very south, but the water is cold and it has been known to snow at sealevel in the Winter. Dunedin often has consistent and good surf. and Christchurch has some good breaks nearby also. My favorite is Mangamanu, where I could surf a long right point like Rincon at 4-5 feet with not a soul around and snow-capped peaks looking over me.

On the west coast, I had good surf at Greymouth and other areas….. just get the book and the surf report and read them before you go and you will be well equipped.. When you get there, ask local surfers where ever you go and most of them are happy to give you a few hints where to surf.

Most places that I went , I ended surfing alone and had a ball. It was a pleasure to have another surfer come out and share the stoke in a lot of places.

Have a good trip. Do some weather research now on the internet and it will clue you in about the weather patterns and surf forecasting. The weather there changes practically every hour. It can rain for an hour and be blazing sun the next.

Don’t expect it to be like America — It is New Zealand! Also try to learn the language and accent when you get there and people will understand your “English” better, eh?