The 2026 National Surfing Championships presented by Trust Tairāwhiti will bring New Zealand’s surfing community together on the Gisborne coastline from 11–17 January 2026, with one of the largest and most diverse fields seen in recent decades.
Just under 400 entries across 28 divisions have been confirmed at the country’s longest-running and most prestigious domestic surfing event, reinforcing the Championships’ status as the pinnacle of competitive surfing in Aotearoa.
The event will feature competition across shortboard, longboard, stand up paddleboard (SUP), Kneeboard and bodyboard disciplines, with divisions spanning from Under 14s through to Over 70s, showcasing the full depth and diversity of New Zealand surfing.
The event marks the first of eight national events around the New Zealand coastline as part of the Epic Break summer campaign showcasing surfing talent and celebrating the surfing community between January and April.
A standout feature of the 2026 Championships is the Open Division, which has attracted over 95 entries, marking the biggest Open field in more than 20 years. The strength of entries highlights the pulling power of the National Championships and its importance as a proving ground for current and emerging athletes as well as multiple past champions that have returned to the mix.
17-year-old Otago surfer Alexis Owen is out to defend his title at Gisborne next week, the young surfer fresh back from Peru where he contested the World Junior Championships in December.
“Pretty exciting, being young and competing against New Zealand’s greatest surfers, all you can be is excited for the opportunity and hope to get some good heat wins and fingers crossed for some good surf for the action to take place in,” commented Owen on facing next weeks star-studded line up.
Owen will take on six additional past champions that have captured 21 titles between them. Led by Raglan’s Billy Stairmand with eight titles, the field includes Maz Quinn (4), Jay Quinn (3) and Daniel Farr (2) as multiple title holders. Blair Stewart is another local Gisborne surfer in the draw with a title to his name.
While Ava Henderson (Chch) will not be at Gisborne to defend her Open Women’s title, the pool of talent runs deep across the women’s field which will be led by Alexis Owen’s fellow NZ Junior Team members Leia Millar (Piha) and Lola Groube (Pau) who both placed seventh at the World Junior Championships last month.
Dating back to 1963, the National Surfing Championships has played a central role in shaping New Zealand’s surfing history. From its origins at Mount Maunganui to events staged the length of the country, the Championships continue to celebrate performance, participation, and community in equal measure.
Special awards at the event include the title of the top boardrider club in the nation as well as the Peter Byers Trophy awarded to the surfer with the most outstanding performance across the week.
The 2026 event will be hosted by Gisborne Boardriders Club, returning the Championships to one of New Zealand’s most iconic surf regions for the seventeenth time. With its summer swells and variety of high-quality beach breaks, the Gisborne coastline provides an ideal setting for a mobile event, allowing organisers to chase the best conditions each day.
“Gisborne Boardriders is stoked to host this year’s Nationals. We are looking forward to welcoming surfers from across Aotearoa and our wider Tairawhiti community for an epic week of surfing, connection and good times,” commented Florian Bub, Gisborne Boardriders General Manager.
“Gisborne has a proud surfing heritage and a strong, welcoming community,” said Surfing New Zealand CEO Ben Kennings. “With the scale of entries we’ve received, particularly in the Open Division, we’re expecting a highly competitive and memorable Championships that reflects the strength of surfing right across the country.”
The support of the local community has brought the event to the region. Alongside Gisborne Boardriders, Trust Tairawhiti have supported the event ensuring the event runs smoothly through the week of action.
Trust Tairawhiti is joined by event partners Neighbourhood Cantina, Chris Fougere Orthopaedics, Kiwi Holiday Insurance, ACC and Sun Bum.
Competition will run daily from 8.00am to 5.00pm, with the Open Men’s and Women’s finals expected to take place on Saturday 17th January.
Detailed daily schedules, live scores, and results will be available via www.liveheats.com/surfingnz.
Surfing Timetable
Day 1 – Senior Men and Women Divisions
Day 2 – Senior Men and Women Divisions, Junior Boys and Girls, Longboard, SUP, Bodyboard
Day 3 – Senior Men and Women Divisions, Junior Boys and Girls, Longboard, SUP, Bodyboard
Day 4 – Open Men and Women, Junior Boys and Girls
Day 5 – Open Men and Women, Junior Boys and Girls
Day 6 – Open Men and Women, Junior Boys and Girls, Kneeboard
Day 7 – Open Men and Women, Junior Boys and Girls, Adaptive
Social Calendar
Sat 10th Jan – 4-6pm powhiri at Midway SLSC
Sun 11th Jan – Neighbourhood Pizzeria Evening
Mon 12th Jan – GBC learn to surf day
Tue 13th Jan – Cold Water Movie Night, The Dome (7pm)
Wed 14th Jan – Skate Expression Session
Thurs 15th Jan, Nias Surf Movie Night, The Dome / Neighbourhood Cantina Night
Fri 16th Jan, Coast Kids Surf Day / Ambrose Golf Team Tournament (3pm)
Sat, 17th Jan, After Party, Smash Palace – Hitman Johnny Gibbs, Flaxxies and The Butlers (7pm)
Set out below are previous champions of the major divisions contested for the past five years.
Open Men
2021 – Billy Stairmand (Rag)
2022 – Daniel Farr (Tara)
2023 – Dune Kennings –(Piha)
2024 – Daniel Farr (Tara)
2025 – Alexis Owen (Dun)
Open Women
2021 – Saffi Vette (Gis)
2022 – Paige Hareb (Tara)
2023 – Piha Rogers (WGM)
2024 – Maya Mateja (Rag)
2025 – Ava Henderson (Chch)
Under 18 Boys Division
2021 – Finn Vette (Gis)
2022 – Rakiatea Tau (Chch)
2023 – Navryn Malone (Rag)
2024 – Taimana Marupo (Mnt)
2025 – Tao Mouldey (Mnt)
Under 18 Girls Division
2021 – Ava Henderson (Chch)
2022 – Ava Henderson (Chch)
2023 – Tayla Green (Aus)
2024 – Leia Millar (Piha)
2025 – Leia Millar (Piha)
Longboard
2021 – Daniel Procter (Gis)
2022 – Jack Tyro (Chch)
2023 – Oliver Janes (Auck)
2024 – Jack Tyro (Chch)
2025 – Jack Tyro (Chch)
The 2026 National Surfing Championships commences both the domestic NZ Surf Series, NZ Grom Series and NZ Longboard Series with events scheduled around the country this summer.
Further Information
For further information on the 2026 National Surfing Championships please contact Surfing New Zealand’s Ben Kennings on 021 2278732 or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz.
Imagery
High resolution action images of the surfing will be available to media free of charge upon request.
Social Media
Keep up with all the action by following @surfingnz on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Use the hashtag #Nats2026 and #EpicBreak to follow the story.
Surfing New Zealand is proudly partnered by:
Sport NZ
ACC
Sun Bum
Kiwi Holiday Insurance
Ends