History

Surfing New Zealand: A Chronology of Our Surfing History

Welcome to the Surfing New Zealand history timeline — a journey through the milestones that have shaped surfing in Aotearoa. While we’ve captured many highlights, this timeline is always evolving. If you have stories or moments to add, please reach out to Dan at dan.westerkamp@surfingnz.co.nz.

1963

First National Championships
Held at Mount Maunganui, won by Peter Way — marking the start of organised competitive surfing in New Zealand.

1968

Children of the Sun
Release of this iconic surf film featuring New Zealand’s top surfers, elevating the sport’s national profile.

1976

World Professional Surfing Tour Debut
New Zealand hosts the Amco/Radio Hauraki Pro at North Piha — the inaugural event of the World Pro Tour, won by Michael Peterson.

1980–1982

Organisational Growth and National Circuit
Wayne Arthur becomes president of the New Zealand Surfing Association; the New Zealand Surfing Circuit is formed. The first NZ teams compete at World Championships in Australia.

1984–1987

International Tours and National Titles
Teams tour California, Hawaii, Peru, Brazil, England, and Ireland. Iain Buchanan wins five consecutive National Open Men’s titles, matching the record.

1989–1992

Junior Development and Rising Stars
First junior national team competes internationally; Nationals in Dunedin; Maz Quinn emerges as a rising talent. Coca-Cola sponsors surfing for six years.

1995

ASP World Qualifying Series
New Zealand hosts its first ASP WQS event at Raglan, won by Luke Egan. Greg Townsend becomes the first paid employee of NZ Surfing Association.

1996–1997

Breakthroughs and Rebranding
Maz Quinn wins the Billabong Pro-Junior Series in Australia. The Association rebrands as Surfing New Zealand, embracing a modern identity.

1999–2003

Corporate Sponsorship and Major Events
Telecom Boost mobile and Dominion Breweries (DB Export) become sponsors. The national office moves to Raglan. New Zealand hosts the Oxbow World Longboarding Championships.

2001

Maz Quinn
Becomes the first New Zealand male to qualify for the WSL World Championship Tour (WCT) by finishing 7th on the World Qualifying Series (WQS).

2004–2006
Hyundai sponsors Surfing NZ. Vodafone Surf Sessions draw massive crowds at Piha with stars like Andy Irons and Mick Fanning.

  • 2006: Vodafone Surf Sessions earn Highly Commended at PRINZ Awards (Special Event) and Judges Special Mention at NZ Sponsorship Awards.

2007–2010
Paige Hareb becomes the first female Kiwi on the ASP World Tour, competing for six consecutive years (2008–2013).
Matt Hewitt wins Nationals at 17. SNZ hosts the ISA World Junior Championships at Piha.

  • 2011: SNZ wins the NZ Sport & Recreation Sport Excellence Award for the ISA World Junior Championships.
  • 2010: Billy Stairmand becomes the first Kiwi male to win an ASP 6-star WQS event in Portugal.

2011–2013

Event Excellence and Junior World Titles
SNZ wins the SPARC Event Excellence Award. Billy Stairmand defeats 10x World Champion Kelly Slater at Margaret River. Ella Williams wins the 2013 ASP World Junior Championship in Brazil.

  • 2013: Winner of Water Safety NZ Awareness Category Award for Wave Warriors Junior Surfing Programme.

2014–2016

World Tour Qualifiers and The Ultimate Waterman
Ricardo Christie qualifies for the WSL Championship Tour in 2014, finishing 31st in his rookie year.
Ella Williams wins her maiden WSL WQS event in 2016 (Medoc Ocean QS1,000).

  • 2016: The Ultimate Waterman event launches in Auckland, winning the NZ Sport & Recreation Innovation Excellence Award and becoming a finalist for Event Excellence.

Olympic Milestones

Tokyo 2020
Billy Stairmand and Ella Williams become New Zealand’s first Olympic surfers.

  • Ella qualifies by placing top Oceania female at the 2019 World Surfing Games.
  • Billy finishes 9th — the highest male Kiwi Olympic surfing result.

Paris 2024

  • Billy Stairmand competes in Tahiti Olympic qualifiers, placing 17th.
  • Saffi Vette represents NZ, competing strongly in early rounds.

This timeline represents the ongoing evolution of surfing in New Zealand — celebrating achievements, pioneers, and new waves of talent. We invite you to share your memories, stories, or any additions by contacting Dan at dan.westerkamp@surfingnz.co.nz.