Sand Sculpture World Record Broken at Ruakaka Youth Rally

28 October 2025

Close to 500 people of all ages opposed to sand mining, linked hands along the shoreline at Ruakaka Beach on Saturday to be counted in a Guiness World Record attempt.

The World Record for the most people on a beach simultaneously making sand sculptures was previously set in Belgium in 2019 with 396 people. The Bream Bay Guardians broke that during the long weekend with the final count at 485.

While the record-breaking victory isn’t official, the Guardians couldn’t be happier.

“It was fantastic. We beat the number on the beach in terms of the world record, so it’s a dream come true” said spokesperson Mary Sinclair.

She said the event was held to raise awareness about protecting Bream Bay, with a Fast Track proposal to sand mine in the bay currently on the table.

The event was also an opportunity to engage young people’s ideas about what a healthy ocean looks like.

Children and their families were encouraged to build a marine themed sand sculpture.  Some of the designs included turtles, whales and even a person’s bare bottom with the words “leave our bottom alone” etched into the sand.

Dozens of spot prizes were given away and there were free Juicies and sausages available for all.

The event was hosted by More Fm’s Toast Te Kani and attendees included a number of newly elected district and regional councillors including new Whangarei Mayor Ken Couper and new Kaipara Mayor Jonathan Larsen.

Mayor Couper said Bream Bay is special to him and his whanau. He said while he agreed with Fast Track legislation, he believed the proposal to sand mine at Bream Bay would do more harm than good.

“There is no economic benefit that we can see and no jobs, that’s why I’m against this proposal,” he said.

Mayor Larsen said we need to keep our sand on beaches.

“It’s a finite resource, so if we take the sand off the coast, the sand beside the coast moves to fill the hole”

Mary Sinclair said it was great to have the backing of Northland politicians.

“We are yet to find a local politician in Northland that isn’t against sand mining and having these guys take time out of their long weekend to come and show their support means a lot,” she said.

Members of Patuharakeke were also present, as was Green MP Huhana Lyndon.

McCallum Bros Ltd, which is seeking to dredge more than 8 million cubic metres of sand from Bream Bay is yet to file its formal application.

The Bream Bay Guardians would like to thank the following for their generous support:

Waipu Primary School, Ruakaka Primary School, One Tree Point Primary School, Mangawhai Beach School, and Bream Bay College for their cooperation and enthusiastic support.

Jason Taylor – for his fabulous videography.

Josephine Pirihi from Patuharakeke for her waiata “Leave Our Sand Alone”.

Tasman Bay Food Co for donating Juicies.

Ray White, Piroa Conservation Collective, Waipu Primary School, Ruakaka Surf Club, and the Waipu Cove Surf Club for the use of their gazebos, tables, and equipment.

The Ferry Tern Trust, Kiwi North, Coast Care Northland, Waipu Cove Camp, Ray White, and Promote Waipu for donating spot prizes.

The many community volunteers that helped in the planning, execution and clean up after the event.