Hi All and Happy Kiting in New Year!!!

We are coming for a holiday to NZ and would like to hear from you about kitesurfing conditions, spots and community in North Island. Any tips would be very appreciated.

We are landing in Auckland on 9th Feb 09 and staying for almost 3 weeks, never been to NZ before...
Have a "family thing” going on in Russell and will spend there our last week. Heard the Bay of Islands and Northland is a very beautiful place, blessed with white sand beaches and hopefully good kite spots too! (?)
Hoping to make short daily kite trips from Russell on our last week, if wind is good.

But before we get to Russell we would like to travel a little bit for first 2 weeks, it would be great to kite in some nice spots and meet local kitesurfers.
Of course we also want to see some interesting sites, so our very general plan at the moment is Hot Beach-Tauranga_Rotorua-Taupo-Waitimo- Raglan-Auckland-Ruakaka-Russell

Just wonder what conditions are like in February, what kite sizes are recommended, where are good places to go, as nice kite spots... What's the water temperature, any wetsuit needed?
Also let us know if you have any special rules we need to obey.
Any help and advice would be much appreciated, as we know absolutely nothing about kitesurfing in NZ.

Hope to meet you on the beach in few weeks!

Kasia & Gavin

hiya, just give me a buzz when u get here and id b happy 2 give u the low down on the local spots,my name johnie ive been teaching kitesports in auckland for yonks, im not tryin 2 sell u a lesson so call me.johnie 021 airtime, 021 2478463. 8)

Make sure you head up to Rangiputa, Karikari Peninsula. Trust me you won't want to leave once you get up that way... had this problem a week and a half back. Lots of beach houses available that time of the year or go to www.reeflodgemotel.co.nz and book ya self in... mecca!!! All the best. D

Hi,

Theres a small group of Paihia locals and one crazy in Russell who kites Tapeka Point. If the wind is 13kn+ N/NE/E/SE sure to have one of us kiting Paihia's Tii Beach, if you want call me on the land line 4028120 when your in Russell. ... Aubrey

Thanks guys!
Counting days now - so excited!
Have a Masteplan in place!
I gathered from your forum there is no much wind at the moment...
Hope we will bring some with us!
Any point of taking small kites? Just wonder what are the chances of getting 20 knots +...
See you soon!

Kasia.

Aubrey - yep, I heard of the local doctor kitesurfing in Russell