Castlepoint voted a beloved NZ beach

GOOD TIMES: Swimmers enjoy Castlepoint and Riversdale beaches.

Castlepoint has been ranked number five in a list of New Zealand's most loved beaches.

The four-week Facebook poll generated by the AA listed Bay of Plenty beach Ohope as the top spot, followed by Whangamata Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula and Matai Bay in Northland.

The top beach will receive an official AA sign marking it as New Zealand's most loved. Other beaches in the top 10 will also receive signs.

AA general manager membership and brand Dougal Swift said while Ohope Beach won out, what was clear was how important sun, sand and surf is to New Zealand culture.

"Kiwis are never far from the ocean and because of that we become inextricably linked to a beach, sometimes many beaches," Mr Swift says.

"While our favourite beaches might change over time, most of us still have happy, crowded memories and photo collections loaded with beach cricket, swimming, barbecues and the odd skinny dip."

Mr Swift says beaches can have special meaning for many reasons.

"That's why a lot of the participants who voted for New Zealand's most loved beach were so passionate in their comments.

"Their beach is always going to be the most loved because of its hidden value," he said.