The inaugural Papamoa Beach Polo competition kicked off in style as hundreds spent the afternoon at one of Tauranga's beautiful beaches yesterday.
The idea was hatched in 2012, and in 2016 New Zealand became the 18th country in the world to be involved with beach polo.
Event organiser, Amy Calway, says it was an "Oprah Winfrey" moment, but admits organising an event at the beach has its challenges.
"I've got 78 staff on this project, it's been gruelling with mother nature and tides," she says.
Spectators 1 NEWS spoke to said it was "the best thing ever" and many were thrilled an event of this size was happening in Tauranga.
National Leader Simon Bridges, who attended the polo, admitted he didn’t know much about the sport.
"I know it originated in Persia and somehow it’s made its way onto mount's Papamoa Beach."
SHARE ME