New Wave NZ Surfboards, kitesurf craftsman in Gisborne

New Wave NZ Surfboards is a shaping factory and surf shop in Awapuni, Gisborne, about 400 m from Midway Beach. Ralph Blake, who has been making boards in Gisborne since the 1970s, and Vish Lalla, who moved to New Zealand in 2005, build custom boards designed with Shape 3D software and cut on an in-house CNC machine.

The workshop also offers contract glassing and sanding, and polyester, epoxy and fibreglass repairs. The shop sells new and second-hand boards (shortboards, fish, mid-lengths, longboards, soft tops), wetsuits, leashes, fins, wax and board bags.

The business also runs surf lessons and board hire.

Monday to Friday 9 am-5 pm, Saturday 9 am-1 pm, closed Sunday; extended hours in summer.