A holiday-maker in the Hawkes Bay region has nabbed an epic Kiwi summer photo after a pod of dolphins decided to drop by while she was wakeboarding.
Samantha Stewart ventured out onto the water at Pourerere Beach Road, approximately 75 kilometres from Hastings, bright and early on Sunday morning with family members.
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After pulling up the crayfish pots Ms Stewart jumped on the back of the boat for a surf on the water before spotting the dolphins.
The playful mammals are regular visitors to the area where the 29-year-old has been visiting every summer so she wasn't worried as they swam alongside her.
"Wakeboarding was even better than swimming with them as I could jump and play with them in the wake," she told Newshub.
Ms Stewart's grandparents bought the bach as a young couple and her extended family have been staying there for more than 65 years.
She said Pourerere Beach is a "very special place" to her, spending most days in the water either fishing, diving, wakeboarding or surfing.
"It is off the grid with no cellphone reception and the closest shop is half an hour away and because of this, it is where I can unplug and unwind," she says.
In her eyes, the picture sums up "truly living in the moment and a sense of pure happiness".
Newshub.
