Where to surf in New Zealand?

Surf locations in Australia/New Zealand?

• I am studying abroad next spring (feb.-july) and I would like to study somewhere with good surf (and other outdoor stuff such as mountain biking) during the months ill be there. My options are Sydney (Macquarie University), Brisbane (univ. of Queensland), Canberra (univ. of Canberra), Univ. of Sunshine coast, and Univ. of Otago (dunddin, new zealand). My first choice is Sydney, but I would like feedback from some actual Australian surfers. Thanks!!!

• Answer:

  Shipwreck Bay in Ahipara, Northland area of the North Island. Sandys Bay in Whangarei, this is also in the Northland area of the North Island. Manu Bay and Whale Bay in Raglan, about 40 mins out of Hamilton. Manu Bay is renowned for the left-hand break. Carters Bay, Te Akau - this one might be tricky to get to as the only way accessible to the beach is going out into the wops (country/rural) on long narrow twisting gravel roads (common for those areas), you might get lost lol. The Mount (Mt Maunganui) - an hour from Hamilton, this is similar to Surfers in the Gold Coast QLD, just on a smaller scale. The Whangamata Bar, Whangamata in the Coromandel - this place is surforia lol you'd want to check this place out, has dozens of sandbank breaks. Brighton and St Clairs are the only ones I know of in Dunedin. These are spots my brother and boyfriend surf except for Brighton and St Clairs. They're all in the North Island so I guess they could work for you when you have time off from Uni. But, I suppose when or if you do decide to study at Otago, you are bound to come across surfers there, and they would know all the spots.