A HIDDEN BEACH

Here’s a slice of New Zealand that hasn’t changed since Kupe waded ashore — except for there being far fewer birds. New Chums Beach is such an odd Boys’ Own name but don’t be deterred — the beach is everyone’s dream of escaping to a deserted place. There’s no road, just an estuary to wade through, slippery rocks, a narrow bush track, a headland and then — heaven — that holy trinity of sun, sand and sea with majestic pōhutukawa for shade and a smattering of folk scattered along the shore. There’s a stir going on about the area and potential development and whether it will impact what British newspaper The

Observer called one of the top 20 beaches in the world. It’s best to go and see what the plan is — it could be surprising. Wading through the estuary is best done at low tide, or dry clothes will get wet. The rocks are slippy, so don’t wear jandals. And there is no drinking water at the other end, or food or shops — or anything. So backpack it all in and backpack everything back out. ACCESS: Only accessible by foot or boat. Cross the stream at the northern end of Whangapoua Beach and walk along the shoreline. It meets with a path that cuts through the saddle, which ends at New Chums Beach. The walk takes about 30 to 40 minutes one-way.