Current men’s beach volleyball world champion pairing of Jonas Rekermann and Julius Brink from Germany are seeded to compete against New Zealand’s number one pairing of Kirk Pitman and Jason Lochhead. New Zealand’s number one women pairing of Hannah Croad and Micah Lindsay-Brown will compete against Laura Ludwig and Sara Goller from Germany, who are ranked number four in the world.

It is the first time the event, which has been running for more than 20 years, has been held at Mount Maunganui. For the past 16 years the open has been held at Stanley Street, Auckland. Games are being played today until about 8pm. Semi-finals start on Sunday at 10.30am; the women’s final is at 2.30pm and the men’s final at 3.30pm.