Best surf spots in New Zealand

The outermost of Raglan's three point breaks, reached only on foot. Long, fast and hollow when it's on, and revered by surfers who've made the walk.

The wave that put New Zealand surfing on the world map, immortalised in The Endless Summer. A long mechanical left that asks for confidence at the takeoff and rewards it with one of the longest rides in the country.

The yin to Raglan's yang, and for many the finest right-hand point in the country. A bowling reef takeoff that barrels then walls into a long, almost endless right, all beneath snowy Mt Taranaki.

A long peeling left at the far end of the Far North that can run for two or three minutes when it is on, the stuff of New Zealand surf legend and namesake of the Endless Summer Lodge above the bay.

A genuinely world class beach break at the mouth of Otago Harbour, where the sandbars off the Mole throw big, punchy, hollow peaks up and down the beach when a clean swell meets a southwest wind.

A world class right-hand point that reels for several hundred metres over cobble and boulder, with the snow-dusted Seaward Kaikōura Range dropping almost to the sea behind the lineup. For many surfers it is the whole reason to drive to Kaikōura.

Arguably New Zealand's most consistent beach break. Nine peaks across four kilometres of east-facing sand, with world-class barrels at Stockroute, Pines and No Access when a clean E or NE swell meets NW offshore winds.

The go-to Auckland east coast surf destination. A right-hand point and wide beach 60 min north of the CBD, with inside banks for first sessions and a point that wakes up on a clean NE.

The most iconic stretch of sand in New Zealand surfing, with shifting beach peaks running 4km under Mauao and the lined-up Blowhole right wrapping Moturiki Island at the southern end.

The exposed ocean side of the Mahia Peninsula, with a near 360-degree swell window and the heaviest waves on the coast. Home of Blacks, the powerful south-swell right where Ricardo Christie learned to surf.

Two distinct breaks within a short walk: the bar and the main beach. The river bar at the mouth of the estuary is the star, best on low tide, when it produces hollow lefts and punchy rights either side of Sentinel Rock.

Christchurch's home beach and the friendliest place in the city to learn, where soft sandy peaks roll into the sheltered Scarborough corner and a right-hander wraps off Cave Rock when the tide fills in.