Top surfing spots in New Zealand

* Muriwai (45km from Auckland). A popular beach thanks to its easy access and abundance of waves.

* Piha (40km from Auckland). Popular beach but the outer breaks are for experienced surfers only. The less experienced should stay on the inner bar.

* Ruapuke, Raglan (60km from Hamilton). Can be surfed on any tide but is best around mid-tide. The northernmost point off the northern headland has the best waves.

* Coromandel, Whangamata Bar (30km from Waihi). A bit too popular at times. The best waves are at the northern end around the harbour entrance.

* New Plymouth, Stent Rd (37km from New Plymouth). Good right-hand wave breaking over a shallow reef along a rocky outcrop. Offshore winds are northeast and predominantly blow through summer and autumn.

* Gisborne, Wainui (8km from Gisborne). Fast-breaking lefts and rights on reef next to centres. Best when tide is mid to high.

* Whiterocks, Castlepoint (69km from Masterton). Surfing at Castlepoint Main Beach can be good. It is a beach break and generally has good bars.

* Catlins, Kaka Point (21km from Balcutha). Good sand bars and waves with a good right-hand wave if the swell is large enough.

* Otago, St Clair/Blackhead Beach (8km from Dunedin). Bars are generally good and the beach commonly has good hollow left- and right-hand waves. For experienced surfers.

Want to learn to surf? Here are some of the companies that can help you:

NZ Surfing Tours, Auckland, (09) 832-9622

Aloha Surf School, Auckland, (09) 489 2846

Raglan Surf Co, Raglan, (07) 825 8988

Raglan Surfing School, Raglan, (07) 825 7873

New Zealand Surf School, Mt Maunganui, (07) 574 1666

Professional Surf Coaching, Christchurch, (03) 326 7161

SISCO's Surf School, Christchurch, (03) 382 6969

Southern Coast Surf Clinic Incorporated, Dunedin, (03) 455 6007

* Information supplied by surf.nzxsports.com