As Kiwis rug up for the shortest day of the year this Saturday, two of New Zealand’s most accomplished sailors are challenging the rest of us to do the exact opposite—strip off, dive in, and show our love for the ocean.
Now in its sixth year, the Live Ocean Winter Dip has become a mid-winter ritual for a growing number of ocean lovers across Aotearoa and around the world. What began as a light-hearted social media challenge by Olympic champions Peter Burling and Blair Tuke has evolved into a nationwide show of support for marine protection and climate action—one icy plunge at a time.
A solstice tradition with purpose
Timed to coincide with the June solstice—the shortest day for us here in the Southern Hemisphere—the event is designed to raise awareness of the urgent need for ocean protection. While northern countries bask in their longest stretch of sunshine, down here it’s a different story. But that contrast only strengthens the call to action.
“This is a moment where we can all do something a little outside our comfort zone, and at the same time stand up for something we care deeply about,” says Blair Tuke, who braved a cold early morning swim at Auckland’s Milford Beach this week to rally others. “The annual Live Ocean Winter Dip is on! Get outside your comfort zone this Matariki weekend and share your love for the moana by doing a winter dip with your whānau or mates.”
Big ocean, small footprint
New Zealand’s ocean territory—the fourth largest on the planet—spans nearly 15 times our land mass, yet less than 1% of it is fully protected. The winter dip is designed not only as a symbolic gesture, but also as a reminder of our responsibility as guardians of this vast marine space.
Co-founder Peter Burling has just returned from the United Nations Ocean Conference in Costa Rica, where world leaders, scientists and NGOs gathered to discuss the health of the ocean and the role it must play in climate solutions.
“We heard loud and clear that the ocean is changing fast,” Burling says. “Marine biodiversity is in decline and the impacts of climate change are accelerating. If we want a healthy future, we need a healthy ocean. That’s why we created the Live Ocean Foundation—to back the science and drive action.”
How to get involved
Taking part is simple—and chilly. All you need to do is head to your local beach, estuary, or lake on or around Saturday 21 June, take a dip, and share the experience with a photo or video on social media. Tag @itsliveocean and use the hashtag #LiveOceanDip to join the global wave of ocean support. Please tag us here at Boating NZ as well, @BoatingNZ so we can share your stories!
Participants are encouraged to make the plunge their own—whether that’s a quick dash-and-dive, a full-on swim, or just a symbolic splash with friends. Families, community groups, surf clubs and schools have all taken part in recent years, with entries pouring in from both coasts of Aotearoa and as far away as Iceland and the UK.
A mid-winter celebration of connection
The timing of this year’s dip holds added significance, falling on the same weekend as Matariki—the Māori New Year, a time for reflection, remembrance and renewal. For many, the ocean is not just a place of recreation, but a vital part of cultural identity, livelihood and whakapapa.
By linking the winter solstice, Matariki, and ocean advocacy, Live Ocean is tapping into something uniquely New Zealand—a sense of shared guardianship (kaitiakitanga) that speaks to who we are as a nation.
More than just a cold swim
In a country where so much of life revolves around the sea—whether that’s fishing, sailing, surfing or simply walking the dog on the beach—the health of the ocean isn’t a niche concern. It’s a national one. And this weekend, with one simple act of courage (and a bit of shivering), Kiwis can help push that message further.
Live Ocean’s winter dip is more than just a viral challenge. It’s a chance to reconnect with the moana, make a statement for future generations, and maybe even have a laugh along the way.
I will jump into the sea as well!
And yes—for the record—this shortest day of the year, the author of this article and the editor of Boating New Zealand Online (we’re the same person, its not a team activity), will be joining Peter and Blair in taking the plunge on Saturday. I’ll be hitting the water to celebrate not only our connection to the ocean but also the simple fact that we’re on the way back to summer.
I live on a boat, we are in Whangamata at the moment – I will be jumping off the back of the yacht… why: to look forward to summer! No doubt there will be a video, I will share it with you!
See you in the sea.
