Piha beach west of Auckland will host the national surfing championships next month.
The event from January 10-17 is also the second of six on the 2008/09 national series and the the second on the 2009 Pro Longboard Tour.
Jay Quinn of Gisborne has signalled he will return to New Zealand from his Gold Coast base to defend the title he won on home surf in January this year.
Likewise, Angie Koops of Kaikoura will be back to defend the women's title.
