THE BEST OF THE BEST
Readers have voted and decided that the top beach in the entire country is Whangamata, writes Ewan McDonald.
Sarah Ellery began her new job as manager of the Whangamata Motor Camp on Monday, so she was pretty chuffed when the Herald rang two days later to confirm that Whanga’ had been voted New Zealand’s Best Beach by our readers around the country.
Not that Sarah is a newcomer to New Zealand’s favourite summer resort — she has been holidaying there for 10 years.
So what makes it so special for young and old, families and international visitors? “It’s clean. It’s got everything — great surf, a bridge for kids to jump off, it’s got the estuary, which is safe for the little ones, there’s boogie boarding for the older ones.
“It’s just the best place to have a holiday. It’s a great walking location and the streets are easy to bike around.”
Events such as the five-day Beach Hop, which celebrates the music, cars and fashion of the 50s and 60s, and Brits at the Beach, which attracts thousands of UK expats, make sure that the holiday vibe continues throughout the summer.
Fun runs, the town’s mountain-bike park and tramping in the surrounding bush add to the leisure opportunities, she says.
“It’s the classic Kiwi holiday place that caters to all ages.”
Matt Williams, chief executive of Surf Life Saving NZ’s northern region and one of three beach experts who short-listed the 10 finalists from hundreds of nominations by Herald readers, wasn’t surprised at the winner and runner-up, Matapouri Bay in Northland.
When he and fellow-judges Karin Bryan of Waikato University and singersongwriter-surfer Jamie McDell mused over the essential qualities of not just a great, but the greatest beach, they agreed defining that was a pretty tall order.
New Zealanders are lucky to enjoy good water quality, safety, accessibility (or privacy) at many of our beaches. So what would set the best apart?
First, the wow factor. “The amazing beaches grab you upon arrival, capturing you in that moment. The feeling was described as ‘almost primal’ but we judges had difficulty trying to articulate it.”
Second, modern convenience. “Kiwis are funny creatures, and as much as we want the extraordinary, it must also be accompanied by the ordinary,” Williams says.
“Though we all like to engage in a little adventure, getting off the beaten path for our summer sojourns, that feeling is often short-lived. It dissipates shortly after the picnic lunch, or when it is discovered Dad forgot to get the drink bottles out of the fridge, and no one checked the expiry date on the sunblock.
“It seems a functioning (and preferably flushable) toilet, alongside a dispenser of ice blocks and deep-fried nourishment are as high on our list of priorities as a beautiful breaking wave and pristine white sand.”
Third, fun, thrills — and safety. “We ask a lot from our beaches,” Williams says.
They must have waves for the thrillseekers, rocks and caves to explore, areas to fish, and safe swimming spots, shelter and shade. “With an order that tall, I hope Mother Nature doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon.”
Finally, you have to have been there. Williams notes that Kiwis are passionate, even possessive about what they regard as their beach.
“We do not enjoy beaches from afar or through our newsfeed, and very rarely is someone’s favourite beach one they have not been to many times. More remote beaches don’t seem to make it through the noise of their more popular coastal cousins. Here’s to that, I say.”
The top two have all those features — in spades.
“A worthy winner, Whangamata holds a special place for many New Zealanders. For those not lucky enough to own property or have regular holidays there, a summer or New Year at this Coromandel hot spot has been a longstanding Kiwi rite of passage.
“Much of its treasured status comes from the unique coastal environment. It’s a widely accessible beach kept safe by the guardians of the coast at Trust Waikato Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club since December 1949.”
Whatever you are looking for from a beach, Whangamata has it, Williams says.
“It offers the ability to do literally every activity you could hope for at the beach from kayaking to nearby Whenakura Island, SUP’ing, snorkelling, fishing.”
All that activity — or lack thereof for those finishing a good book — can build up an appetite. Whangamata has that covered too, with almost beach front cafes, and plenty of amenities and parking. He says “you really will want for nothing at this iconic Kiwi beach.”
Runner-up Matapouri is a world away from the summer hum of Coromandel and Williams calls it “a little Northland gem.”
“Matapouri is ‘quiet’ in the best possible way, a feature many longtime visitors value above all else.
“Its golden sands and shimmering blue waters, hugged by surrounding headlands, are always welcoming to holidaymakers, tourists, adventure enthusiasts or the weary urban dweller looking to disconnect for a spell.”
The Mermaid Pools are unique, although their popularity means the heavily eroded track to the oceanfront natural swimming spot is burdened at times.
“For the board riders, it is not as attractive as its neighbouring beaches but proves a great bay for the kids and learners to get acquainted.”
But Williams has a warning: “Tread lightly on your travels. Matapouri is still coming to terms with its popularity and does not yet have the infrastructure to support the masses.”