Best Beach is back for 2025, presented by Fruju. New Trip Notes host Lorna Riley is joined by comedian Eli Matthewson (new show Heaven's Devil) and Find My Country House New Zealand host Matt Gibb to discuss their picks for the best family-friendly, city, surf, hidden gem and camping beach in the country.

To read more about the Best Beach campaign and have your say, go to nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach. Nominations close January 12th.

A new season of Trip Notes returns in early March.

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In this special bonus episode of Trip Notes, the Herald Travel team is once again looking for New Zealand's Best Beach - this time with support from Fruju, NZ's favourite ice block.

To get the ideas ball rolling, NZ Herald Lifestyle and Travel editor Stephanie Holmes is joined by Celebrity Treasure Island finalist Turia Schmidt-Peke, and Small Town Scandal host Tom Sainsbury, to get their ideas.

To nominate and vote, head to nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a while since you’ve heard from us here at Trip Notes, but we are back for a special bonus episode thanks to New Zealand’s favourite ice cream Tip Top in order to celebrate New Zealand’s Best Beach! But we need your help – we want you to tell us your favourite beaches around Aotearoa as part of the Herald’s Best Beach campaign.

We last crowned a winner back in 2021, when Ōhope voted New Zealand’s best beach. Now we’re letting Kiwis pick their favourites once again, and this year, we’ve extended our search to five special categories. You can find out more, and nominate your favourites, at nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach

In this episode, NZ Herald Travel editor Stephanie Holmes talks to Damien Venuto, host of The Front Page, and Jenni Mortimer, lifestyle editor and co-host of One Day You’ll Thank Me, about their favourite beaches - plus, hear from some notable Kiwis as well!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.