Auckland Surf Breaks Online Survey

The survey is trying to establish which are the most important surf breaks in the Auckland region so they can be protected from conflicting uses and developments, such as dredging, wharves or groynes. Factual evidence to support the values and usage levels of Auckland surf breaks is currently lacking. We would like survey participants to help us identify surf breaks with high quality waves and/or high levels of use. Results will be used as supporting evidence, in identifying surf breaks of regional importance in Auckland Councils main statutory planning document which is currently being developed – ‘the Unitary Plan’, and in the development of policy aimed at protecting these breaks from conflicting uses and developments.



We have a list of 39 surf breaks for which we are seeking user information. Participants are asked to pick up to 5 of their favourite breaks and answer a few questions about them, including how often they surf at each break, how many other surfers they typically observe at a break, wave quality, and amenity values for each break.

The survey is also trying to establish what features/values at each break need to be protected by council planning controls. For example, if a break is valued because it is surrounded by bush, we may need controls on adjacent land development. If a break is valued because it has lots of adjacent car parking and shops, we may need to allow room for additional car parking but do not need to stop development on the surrounding land.