The nation has voted and the New Zealand Herald has taken note. In the annual hottest competition of the year, we’re searching for the country’s best beaches. These are the top 10 city beaches that city-slicking sand lovers can’t get enough of
Winner of last year’s Best City Beach, Ōrewa is yet again in the running. No surprise when you gift the good folk of Auckland 3km of golden bliss just 20 minutes from the hubbub of city centre life. A literal stone’s throw (although we don’t recommend it) from a wealth of cafes and restaurants, there is plenty of air-conditioned respite should the day be sweltering. Don’t skip the Estuary Arts Centre on your way home, beside the beautiful Te Ara Tahuna Walkway, it showcases various exhibitions alongside a gift shop and cafe.
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Hot on Ōrewa’s heels are five more Auckland-based beaches, including Takapuna on the North Shore and fierce rival, Mission Bay on the other side of the bridge. Both offer optimum inner-city beach convenience; 15 minutes and 17 minutes by car from the CBD respectively (but who’s counting?). While both locations enjoy picture-perfect views of Rangitoto Island and long slivers of inviting sand, Takapuna delights with an enormous beach-side playground, complete with accessible play for wheelchair users and a weekly Sunday market, should you be topping up your tan over the weekend. Lest we forget myriad cafes, restaurants and ice cream parlours.
Not one to be outdone, Mission Bay also boasts a steady stream of bars and eateries, as well as a fetching water fountain and the kind of coastal feel-good vibes that could put even the most sullen sand-hater in a good mood.
Of course, we can’t mention Mission Bay without hailing its delightful promenade and Tamaki Drive coastal walk — allowing avid beach-goers to arrive on foot, bike, roller skates, or if you’re feeling extra spritely, an 8km jog from the city.
Continue another 4km from Mission Bay and you’ll find St Heliers, the next contender on our list.
The sleepier version of Mission Bay, St Heliers is the quintessential seaside village. Waterfront bistros, bars and cafes keep sun lovers replenished alongside the cool, calm water, which is ideal for a quick paddle or more robust activities such as SUP boarding. Active relaxers can even kayak out to Rangitoto Island at sunset, courtesy of Auckland Sea Kayaks. Half-day and multi-day trips launch from St Helier’s shoreline.
Should you be keen to admire Rangitoto Island from yet another angle, set your sights on Cheltenham Beach, back across the bridge (or a quick 12-minute ride from Downtown on the ferry) to the North Shore enclave of Devonport. With golden sand, calm turquoise water and an obscenely cute row of candy-coloured houses, most sand devotees feel like they’ve hit the coastal jackpot here. The centre of Devonport is 1.3km away and makes for a gentle walk past beautiful Victorian houses before depositing punters on the beach. Shaded grassy areas lend themselves to languid picnics — or fish and chips with top-notch ocean views.
Last on the list for Tāmaki Makarau is Long Bay. Part of Long Bay Regional Park and situated 26km north of Auckland CBD, you’re a mere 30 minutes — by car— from a 1km stretch of unsullied golden sand. Several picnic tables and electric barbecues allow visitors to extend beach trips into a full day of sun-soaked frivolity.
Let’s leave Auckland behind and travel southeast to Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty. We’ll allow you to vote for this one as a ‘city beach’ as it’s just an eight-minute drive from Tauranga.
Anyone who needs an introduction to Mount Maunganui is perhaps new to New Zealand. Famed for Mauao that commands attention from every angle, ‘The Mount’ — as it’s affectionately known — is defined by both its mountain and spectacular beaches — namely Main Beach. Without doubt, this North Island seaside town is blessed with ample good looks, with Main Beach offering a delicious — and extensive — slice of sugary-soft sand and wave-jumping fun. The prom is freckled with tasty food vendors and offers several excuses to stop for ice cream. While swimming and surfing is an obvious pastime, don’t miss venturing to Moturiki (Leisure Island), connected to Main Beach via a land bridge and privy to some of the best views of the maunga.
Next, let’s head to Wellington. Specifically, to Oriental Bay. A favourite haunt for residents and visitors alike — and evidently a huge number of voters for Herald’s Best City Beach 2025. What’s not to love? Located on the inner harbour of Oriental Parade, if you work in Wellington, you could frequent this small and seductive curve of sand for a lunchtime dip, and if you’ve come from further afield, it’s idyllic for safe swimming, picnics and general summertime frolicking. Legend states that the yellow sand was shipped in from Golden Bay (of Tasman fame) so you’re guaranteed a soft spot to plonk your derriere.
Speaking of blissful shores gracing the South Island’s top end, Tahunanui Beach is the closest beach to Nelson City, and one of two South Island inclusions in our Best City Beach list. The safe, 1.75km bay is a feast for the retinas, with honey-coloured sand and a mountainous backdrop. The water, usually dressed in teal, could coax even the most reluctant toe-dippers into its ripples. A mecca for active types, you’ll find stand-up paddle boarders, windsurfers and kite surfers galore, as well as a cool children’s playground just beyond the dunes.
Last on our list is Sumner Beach, a 13km hop from central Christchurch. A newcomer to the list in 2024, Sumner returns for a second bash at claiming the top spot for NZ’s best city beach. While scores of residents will tell you it’s an unbeatable pick, a quick Google search also spews out hundreds of positive reviews. Various merits include beautiful sunsets, lots of options for coffee and ice cream, and a highly recommended walk to see Cave Rock.
No one puts it better than the one reviewer who writes, “With the sun shining, what more could you want?”
Precisely.
Voting closes at 11.59pm on Sunday, January 26. The 2025 Best Beaches winners will be announced on Sunday, February 2.
Check out the New Zealand Herald from Monday to Friday this week for profiles on each of the finalists.
Go to nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach to vote or fill out the entry form below.
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