Ōhope Beach wants its crown back, and nominations for the Best Beach 2026 are now open.

The Whakatāne District favourite dominated the NZ Herald’s Best Beach competition for three years straight, winning Best Family Beach from 2022-2024.

Last year, Northland’s Waipu Cove took the crown, but Ōhope still ranked, claiming silver in Best Family Beach and Best Camping Beach.

“We’re encouraging everyone who loves Ōhope – locals, regular visitors, and holidaymakers – to nominate the beach,” said Nicola Burgess, manager tourism and economic development.

“Whether you’re nominating Ōhope as Best Family Beach, Best Camping Beach, or putting forward Ōtarawairere Beach as Best Hidden Gem again, we want to show New Zealand what our coastline has to offer.”

The 2026 competition is now open for nominations across five categories: Best Hidden Gem, Best Surf Beach, Best Family Beach, Best Camping Beach, and Best City Beach.

With just four days left to nominate (closing January 11), every nomination counts to get Ōhope into the top 10. The finalists will be announced on January 18, with public voting opening after. Winners will be revealed on February 1.

“Same endless golden sand, same safe shallow waters, same pōhutukawa shade – Ōhope hasn’t changed,” Ms Burgess said.

“It’s still the beautiful, family-friendly beach that Kiwis have loved for generations.

“We still have that incredible 11 kilometre stretch of golden sand, the gentle slope that makes it perfect for kids, and some of the highest sunshine hours in the country.

“Families have been creating memories here for decades, and we’d love to see that recognised again.”

Its impressive track record in the Herald’s competition is hard to match. Beyond the three consecutive Best Family Beach wins, Ōhope Beach has regularly featured as a top contender since the competition began.

In 2021, Ōhope was crowned the overall Best Beach in New Zealand, and in 2014, it won the AA’s “New Zealand’s Most Loved Beach” campaign with nearly 100,000 votes.

Nearby Ōtarawairere Bay has also achieved back-to-back wins as Best Hidden Gem in 2023 and 2024, proving that the Whakatāne district’s coastline offers something for everyone – from bustling family beaches to secluded coastal treasures.

“From a tourism and economic development perspective, these accolades are invaluable,” Ms Burgess said.

“When visitors from Hamilton, Wellington, Auckland, and beyond tell us there’s no better place in New Zealand for safe swimming and family beach experiences, that’s powerful.

“Being able to promote Ōhope as a three-time Best Family Beach winner has real impact in attracting visitors to our district.”

Sixty years of sandcastles, fish and chips, and family traditions – that’s the kind of staying power Ōhope has with Kiwi families.

“Some people who camp at the Top 10 Holiday Park have been coming for 60 years – they came as kids and now bring their grandchildren,” she said.

“That kind of legacy deserves to be celebrated, and we need nominations to make it into the top 10.”

If you think Ōhope deserves to be back on top, head to nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach before Sunday and nominate.