Ohope named NZ's favourite beach

PHOTO KIM GILLESPIE

Eastern Bay of Plenty can add another feather to its cap after taking out the title for the most loved beach in New Zealand.

The Facebook competition run by AA New Zealand asked Kiwis to vote for their favourite stretch of New Zealand sand - and Ohope Beach has come out on top.

AA will be making a signpost to put up at Ohope so everybody knows the area doesn't just have the most sunshine, it also has the country's best beach.

As part of the Whakatane district, which is usually in New Zealand's top three places for total sunshine every year, Ohope offers a little for everyone with its 11km stretch of golden sand.

Ohope was selected as New Zealand's most loved beach after claiming nearly 100,000 of the more than 600,000 votes across a list of about 200 popular beaches, which included some favourites submitted by participants as part of a social media campaign by the AA.

Whangamata Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula came in second followed by Matai Bay on the Karikari Peninsula in Northland.

AA General Manager Membership and Brand Dougal Swift says while Ohope Beach won out at the end of the four week Facebook campaign, what was clear throughout 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 are more than just a place to go for Kiwis, they often have special meaning for a myriad of 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."

The Whakatane District Council will receive an official AA sign crowning Ohope as New Zealand's Most Loved Beach. The remaining beaches in the top 10 will receive similar signs.