Mangamaunu - Under Threat

It was the year 1960 and the sport of surfing was sweeping the world. Surf breaks had become iconic and the search was on across the seven seas for new discoveries.

Names such as Malibu, Rincon, Noosa, Pipeline and many more had become household names. Yet it was right here on the East Coast of the South Island where the discovery of a righthand point break, sitting at the base of the Kaikoura Ranges. One, that could rival California’s famous waves, lured surfers in droves from all around the world to sample its lines. Placing Mangamaunu on the map of surfing.

As the sport of surfing grew so did the appreciation for our natural wonders across the planet, their importance became measurable and here in NZ in 2010 we became the first country in the world to nationally protect 19 of our valued surf breaks under government policy. The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement granted these breaks preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment and protects it from acts that will have an adverse effect on it. Policy 16 specifically protects surf breaks of national significance by ensuring activities on the coastal environment do not adversely affect the surf breaks or access to, and use and enjoyment of the surf break.

Now our recognised surf breaks would have legal protection forever! Or would they?

Just past the stroke of midnight on the 14th November 2016, the landscape of Kaikoura was remodelled forever when a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit. Completely tearing the mountains, roads and even the ocean floor to pieces. In certain areas, it was reported that the coastline had been thrust up to several metres upward. Once the smoke cleared and the lives of residents were accounted for, surfers began to ask what has happened to the surf breaks, and surfers were the first to make their way back to the area, hiking in or finding ways across farms, just like they’d done in the 60s! Somehow miraculously the iconic Mangamaunu had been spared. And the rebuild and getting the roads open became a government priority.