<strong>Awaroa, Tasman: </strong>Situated deep in the Abel Tasman National Park, this secluded area at the top of the South Island was bought by thousands of Kiwis as part of a crowd-funding campaign so that it would stay open to the public.
Awaroa, Tasman: Situated deep in the Abel Tasman National Park, this secluded area at the top of the South Island was bought by thousands of Kiwis as part of a crowd-funding campaign so that it would stay open to the public.
Nelson.com
<strong>Moeraki, Otago: </strong>The sands of Moeraki are famous for a group of large spherical boulders, located along Koekohe Beach, which were formed from ancient sea sediments millions of years ago.
Moeraki, Otago: The sands of Moeraki are famous for a group of large spherical boulders, located along Koekohe Beach, which were formed from ancient sea sediments millions of years ago.
Courtesy Mike Hollman
<strong>New Chums Beach, Waikato: </strong>One of the last undeveloped beaches in New Zealand, this protected bay can only be reached by boat or a 30-minute clamber from Whangapoua -- the nearest holiday settlement.<br />
New Chums Beach, Waikato: One of the last undeveloped beaches in New Zealand, this protected bay can only be reached by boat or a 30-minute clamber from Whangapoua -- the nearest holiday settlement.
Destination Coromandel
<strong>The Catlins, Otago: </strong>The most southeasterly point of South Island, this New Zealand region is known for its beautiful beaches, including the horseshoe-shaped Porpoise Bay and nearby Curio Bay.
The Catlins, Otago: The most southeasterly point of South Island, this New Zealand region is known for its beautiful beaches, including the horseshoe-shaped Porpoise Bay and nearby Curio Bay.
Venture SOuthland
<strong>Rarawa Beach, Far North: </strong>With white sand so soft it squeaks and no facilities to speak of, the little-visited Rarawa Beach on the Aupouri Peninsula has an otherworldly feel.
Rarawa Beach, Far North: With white sand so soft it squeaks and no facilities to speak of, the little-visited Rarawa Beach on the Aupouri Peninsula has an otherworldly feel.
David Kirkland
<strong>Wainui Beach, Gisborne:</strong> Famed for its waves and golden sand, Wainui Beach is also the site of a sperm whale grave, where 59 whales were buried after beaching themselves here back in 1970.
Wainui Beach, Gisborne: Famed for its waves and golden sand, Wainui Beach is also the site of a sperm whale grave, where 59 whales were buried after beaching themselves here back in 1970.
Tourism Eastland Inc
<strong>Gillespies Beach, West Coast: </strong>Based near an old mining settlement, this windswept and desolate coastline is covered with mounds of bleached driftwood and rocks.
Gillespies Beach, West Coast: Based near an old mining settlement, this windswept and desolate coastline is covered with mounds of bleached driftwood and rocks.
Tourism West Coast
<strong>Karekare Beach, New Zealand: </strong>A filming location for Jane Campion's 1993 "The Piano," Karekare's idyllic black sands still feels untouched despite their Hollywood status.
Karekare Beach, New Zealand: A filming location for Jane Campion's 1993 "The Piano," Karekare's idyllic black sands still feels untouched despite their Hollywood status.
Scott VENNING
<strong>Hot Water Beach, Waikato:</strong> For around two hours before or after low tide, you can dig a hole at the tide line of this gorgeous beach and relax in a personal, natural hot springs spa.
Hot Water Beach, Waikato: For around two hours before or after low tide, you can dig a hole at the tide line of this gorgeous beach and relax in a personal, natural hot springs spa.
Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
<strong>Piha Beach, Auckland: </strong> The country's most famous surfing beach is also considered one of its best beaches thanks to its rugged cliffs, the commanding Lion Rock standing guard and the bush of the Waitakere Ranges.
Piha Beach, Auckland: The country's most famous surfing beach is also considered one of its best beaches thanks to its rugged cliffs, the commanding Lion Rock standing guard and the bush of the Waitakere Ranges.
Courtesy Murat WithHat/Creative Commons/Flickr
<strong>Kaiteriteri Beach, Tasman: </strong>Based at the top of the South Island, Kaiteriteri Beach has golden sands formed by a high content of quartz and is also the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park.
Kaiteriteri Beach, Tasman: Based at the top of the South Island, Kaiteriteri Beach has golden sands formed by a high content of quartz and is also the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park.
ISTOCKPHOTO
<strong>Whale Bay, Waikato: </strong>Situated between Mount Karioi and the ocean, the Pohutukawa tree-framed Whale Bay is world-renowned for its surf, with the left-hand point break a favorite of surfers.
Whale Bay, Waikato: Situated between Mount Karioi and the ocean, the Pohutukawa tree-framed Whale Bay is world-renowned for its surf, with the left-hand point break a favorite of surfers.
Courtesy Florian Bugiel/Creative Commons/Flickr
<strong>Mission Bay, Auckland: </strong>A seaside suburb of Auckland city, this best New Zealand beach entry is a great location for a little relaxation in the heart of the city.
Mission Bay, Auckland: A seaside suburb of Auckland city, this best New Zealand beach entry is a great location for a little relaxation in the heart of the city.
Courtesy russellstreet/Creative Commons/Flickr
<strong>Ocean Beach, Bay of Plenty: </strong>While Tauranga's Mount Maunganui has both an ocean beach and a harbor beach (Pilot Bay), the scenic Ocean Beach comes out on top and is popular for surfing and bodysurfing.
Ocean Beach, Bay of Plenty: While Tauranga's Mount Maunganui has both an ocean beach and a harbor beach (Pilot Bay), the scenic Ocean Beach comes out on top and is popular for surfing and bodysurfing.
Courtesy Christoph Strassler/Creative Commons/Flickr
<strong>Ninety Mile Beach, North Land: </strong>With dunes that resemble a desert landscape and the stunning Aupouri Forest as a backdrop, Ninety Mile Beach is arguably New Zealand's most famous stretch of sand.
Ninety Mile Beach, North Land: With dunes that resemble a desert landscape and the stunning Aupouri Forest as a backdrop, Ninety Mile Beach is arguably New Zealand's most famous stretch of sand.
Courtesy Adamina/Creative Commons/Flickr