Ah, we visited Snells Beach :-) Sleepy town, long shell beach, only a couple of takeaway shops. The water is warmer than anywhere I've lived (true of the whole region, I expect). You have to go through "the worst intersection in New Zealand" to get there, quoting the locals. Weird 5-way stop on the highway. One excellent coffee shop/brunch place on the way into town. Our car dealer worked in North Shore Auckland and lived in Snells Beach, so that's apparently doable.