Surfing New Zealand has announced ‘Epic Break,’ its new nationwide summer campaign platform celebrating Kiwi summer, and it’s inviting brands and agencies to jump on board by 1 December 2025, brought to lifa via Auckland-based marketing consultancy Away We Go ~ Matike Mai, combining commercial, creative, and social.
Kiwi Holiday Insurance (KHI) is Epic Break’s first official partner.
Launching on National Surfing Day, 7 December 2025, and running through to 30 April 2026, Epic Break unites eight surf events – from the National Championships in Gisborne to the Women’s Surf Festival in Pauanui and the South Island Champs in Dunedin – with a digital content schedule and a fan-generated summer storytelling programme across Aotearoa.
“Kiwis have had quite a year, and the summer break can’t come soon enough. This campaign is about connecting with surfers, families, and holidaymakers across Aotearoa – giving our partners an authentic platform to engage with people and help them enjoy an epic break this summer,” Surfing NZ CEO Ben Kennings said.
For brands, Epic Break offers national visibility and flexible activation packages, from digital content and athlete appearances to product sampling, fan giveaways, and on-site engagement zones on beaches around the coastline. All event permits and access are already secured, and Surfing NZ will manage all logistics, athlete coordination, and campaign delivery nationwide.
“We’ll be working hard to deliver great events and storytelling this summer. Our approach gives partners the flexibility to join the campaign, or use their rights and benefits to enhance their own summer activity – all the while sharing in the energy and spirit of Epic Break,” Kennings added.
The insurer has partnered with Surfing New Zealand to offer summer holiday insurance packages designed to give holidaymakers peace of mind. Whether travelling domestically or internationally, KHI is able to offer comprehensive coverage with a range of options available; these include cancellation coverage, baggage and personal items, and rental vehicle excess.
“We’re thrilled to have Kiwi Holiday Insurance as a foundation partner. They’ve looked at summer through the lens of how travel insurance can contribute to an epic break – and that’s exactly what this platform allows. We’d love other partners to do the same: you can bring your own lens, your own ideas, and your own story to life as part of this national campaign,” Kennings said.
“Surfing is part of who we are as New Zealanders – it’s about freedom, exploration, and connection. Our partnership with Surfing New Zealand means we can support that lifestyle while making sure surfers and travellers alike are covered wherever the swell takes them,” Kiwi Holiday Insurance’s country manager Mike van Beekhuizen added.
Partnership packages range from $1,950 – $24,750 + GST, with national, regional, and event-level options that include campaign integration, athlete appearances, digital content, and on-beach activations.
