Wai-Tai Aotearoa Boardshorts Review From NZ Surf Journal
We'd like to thank NZSurfJournal for taking our first pre-production samples of boardshorts to the Mentawais with them, giving them a good thrashing and this review
A fresh brand out of Gisborne, Wai-Tai Aotearoa’s all-new four-way stretch boardshorts are punching with the best right from the get-go. In a surf industry dominated by big brands that give very little back to New Zealand surfers, this new boardshort company makes it easy to support New Zealand design. We thrashed our pre-production Wai-Tai Aotearoa boardshorts in Indonesia, to see how they stood up to the tropical abuse. We were impressed …
The designers of these boardshorts are surfer Māia Gibbs, of Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, and Henare Brooking, of Ngāti Porou, both of whom are local Gisborne ta moko artists. They’ve taken the best ideas from boardshorts over the years and woven them into these premium Wai-Tai four-way stretch boardshorts with a distinctive Kiwi feel.
In the background and working alongside the designers are seven-times National Longboard Champion Rāniera Procter, of Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, who brings “knowledge of the past”, Euan Nelson, of Rongomaiwahine, who is well known as the head honcho at Blitz Surf Shop. He blends his surf knowledge with a deep understanding of business and clothing sales. Rounding out the brotherhood of five is Rangi Rangitukunoa, of Tauranga Moana, who brings his rich experiences in film, television and an eye for style.
After years of bouncing around as an idea, Wai-Tai stepped into reality in late 2024 with a kaupapa centered on water activities, and through a uniquely Māori lens. “We wanted to express our culture in and out of the water, we wanted to wear kākahu that was about culture first,” they shared with NZSJ. “We descend from Māui, Paikea, Toi, Kiwa who were all masters of the ocean. So this kaupapa means something to us. It’s more than clothing, we hope it encourages you to feel proud of who you are and where you come from.”
Wai-Tai is currently stocked at Blitz Surf Shop in Gizzy, Boardzone Surf Co in Napier with Kane Riley, Salt Air Surf Shop in Whakatane with Eli Barnfield. All those stores also have an online presence. Ocean Hunter dive store in Whangarei also carries a small range of Wai-Tai clothing.
Okay, we were a little skeptical at first. New Zealand-designed boardshorts? We know enough to know that making a boardshort that performs in the surf is not an easy thing to do.
During my years surfing in boardies I’ve experienced everything from a pair that tried to grind my old fella away, to a pair that ripped my inner thighs to bits and, the worst of all, an expensive pair of big brand name boardshorts that would somehow give me a Chinese-burn directly to my nut sack if I ever landed awkwardly at speed, or jumped off the back of a wave.
So for the first incarnation of a Kiwi-designed pair … I didn’t have high hopes. How wrong I was.
The first thing we noticed is just how comfortable these are. Keo slotted into a pair of size 32s (slightly too big for him) and I wore a size 34 (great fit, my usual size) and tested a size 36 (slightly too big for me) as well. All of these boardshorts were pre-production – test models ahead of the final green light for Wai-Tai Aotearoa’s first production run. So the sizing felt like it was bang on. The extra stretch means that you’re really just trying to get the waist fitment perfect – the rest of the short is super comfy thanks to its insane stretch factor.
The fly on our pre-production model came with a thick bit of velcro and a drawstring. It’s all protected from your skin by the smooth fabric on the inside, but the Velcro did feel a bit clunky and perhaps wasn’t needed – we later learned that the production models use a more refined Velcro closure. The closure is secure and we never got them ripped off – and Keo was often putting himself in those situations. The closure system could benefit from a more streamlined system – without any Velcro. But we are being quite picky here.
Our pre-production Wai-Tai Aotearoa boardies came with three pockets – one Velcro-lashed pocket on the back right cheek and two zipped pockets on the upper thighs at the front. The front pockets aren’t tokenistic either – they can easily hold a large phone. They’re all in fitting with the streamlined feel of the design, but we don’t see why you’d need two front pockets. The rear pocket is great for taking a bank card, money, wax or something to eat with you. Perhaps even one pocket on the front would be better – and we have since learned that the actual production models come with just one front pocket, that can take a full-size phone. It also includes a key loop. We did break a zip tab on one of the front pockets, too. They’re not a cheap zip – but jumping in and out of the boats must have ripped the tab off at some stage.
The sublimated printed designs and side panels make these boardshorts stand right out. If you’re from New Zealand then you’ll get the significance of a boardshort like this. It makes you proud to be representing New Zealand – our version of the Hawaiian “Black Shorts” if you like. The inscription on the label reads: “Kia niwha te tapuwae” which translates roughly to: “Make your mark in whatever you’re doing”. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for me – when you’re in that situation and paddling into something frightening, every little bit of Māori wisdom and knowledge will give you the confidence to surf that wave to the best of your ability. Embrace it.
We’ve kind of skipped past the technical stuff and gone straight to the feels bit. Apologies there. Here’s some technical bits for you: These boardies are 19″ long, which we reckon is perfect for surfing – not too short that they’re riding up and not too long that they’re catching on your knees. There is a trend toward ultra long boardshorts right now, but if you’re more focused on performance then these will certainly help you surf your best.
The four-way stretch fabric is incredible. Just top-shelf comfort and durability was so good for our trip. It does pick up a bit of wax eventually from paddling, but nothing offensive. The fabric comes with a durable water resistant coating, which we reckon is the reason they never gain weight and dry so quickly.
Because of the quick drying nature of them we basically lived in these shorts while in the Mentawai Islands for two weeks straight – not a single rinse, or fresh water wash the whole time. I did try an expensive pair of new Rip Curl boardshorts on the same trip and instantly regretted it compared with these. They had no give and felt like they were cutting off the blood supply to my genitals. It was a great reminder of just how well made these Wai-Tai Aotearoa boardies are.
Retailing at $95, they’re not the cheapest boardshorts on the market, but if you look within the premium range of boardshorts they’re priced about right. A similarly-specced boardshort from Florence Marine X comes in just a smidge under $100. We reckon the Wai-Tai’s are an easy option to go for over the bigger brands – most of which have very little soul left in New Zealand surfing these days.
Launching straight into the premium end of the market is a bold move, but we reckon these Wai-Tai boardshorts have hit the nail on the head. The fact we never rinsed or washed them the whole time in the Ments and they stood up to the abuse speaks volumes. Most boardshorts we’ve used in the past eventually create a rash somewhere during these marathon stints – often for me its my inner thigh and above my knee where a boardshort drags. It can be especially bad for me – I’m swimming with the camera 50 percent of the time. We put that down to the great cut and fitment, and the stretchy fabric.
One trick we picked up early on with our Indo adventures, is to wear a pair of silky undies underneath our boardies in the water (and freeball on land). It improves the entire experience and I hope Wai-Tai take note and consider a model that comes with a pair of purpose-made silkies. Rip Curl has tried it with a sewn in cycling short-style of lycra inner, but, in my experience, it’s not quite right. If the shorts are as comfy and flexi as the Wai-Tais then a simple silky boxer-style of undies will do.
From a durability perspective we have to say these Wai-Tai boardies stood up to the task. We did hole one pair with a reef impact, but it didn’t shred – instead stayed contained to a single puncture. After weeks with some serious drubbings we reckon that was a pretty good result. Fastenings, laces, pockets (other than the zipper tab) all held up as well with land and water excursions.
Overall, we’re quite excited about these all-new boardshorts from the team at Wai-Tai. Firstly, they deserve their premium status – they’re great to surf in and every time you slip into a pair and head for a surf you know you’re in for a good time. The fact they’ve emerged out of Gisborne and designed right here in New Zealand with a distinctive flavour of Aotearoa, I reckon makes them a compelling purchase decision.
Like all New Zealand designed and made products, supporting these brands means you’re supporting New Zealand surfers and surf industry. It’s a no-brainer – especially with a product like this that performs so well. Take a bow team at Wai-Tai, you’ve created a technical boardshort that is made for performance surfing, and you’ve completely nailed it.
New Zealanders can be proud of how they handle themselves in international lineups. We have a reputation that opens doors for us, and like the Black Shorts, of Hawaii, I can see Wai-Tai boardies creating something special – something we can wear and that we can feel proud of who we are and where we have come from.