Rangiputa Beach

You can’t go near it without sunglasses on (Puheke Beach is exactly the same with bigger surf)). Popular with freedom campers, you could almost be in Rarotonga on this beach with the soft sand and sub tropical temperatures. To the east is Mt Puheke, which is a very satisfying climb – and great views at the top (you do need shoes though). New Zealand author, Charlotte Grimshaw described the Karikari peninsula as “a place where barrenness turns suddenly into beauty.”