Whangara.

Whangara is an exposed beachbreak north of Gisborne that picks up a wide swell window from northeast through to south. Shifting sandbars produce A-frame peaks that break both ways, with the north end of the beach typically holding more size. The wave is well-covered and forgiving at smaller swells, suited to beginners and intermediates looking for mellow walls with steep sections. When larger swells arrive, a wedging peak forms near the island offshore, producing more powerful and performance-oriented waves. Westerly winds blow offshore here, and the spot works through all tides. Whangara is the ancestral home of the Ngati Konohi iwi and gained worldwide recognition as the filming location for the 2002 film Whale Rider. The lineup sees few surfers despite consistent swell exposure, making it a quiet alternative to the busier breaks closer to Gisborne. Rides are short at 0-50 metres, typical of a beachbreak with constantly shifting banks.

Shifting sandbars wedge peaks both ways, steeper when the offshore island focuses larger swells.