Slip, slop, slap and scoop

With hot weather on the way, it’s important to have the essentials ready: slip on a shirt, slop on some sunblock, slap on a hat, wrap on some sunglasses, and snack on some tasty summer treats. 

New Zealand is the number one country in the world, per capita, for ice cream consumption, slurping and licking down a massive 28.4 litres per person per annum.

These days there is a lot more on offer than the simple (but still delicious) Jelly Tip, Trumpet or Hokey Pokey cone from the dairy. While ice cream remains more popular here than gelato, the light and luscious treat from Italy is making inroads with many boutique gelaterias popping up – including on the Hibiscus Coast.

Hibiscus Matters staff have been keeping their eyes peeled for some of the Coast’s tastiest ice-creamy choices, and here are three of our top picks.

Little Lato, an award-winning gelato shop in Ōrewa town centre has 26 rotating flavours, including dairy-free and vegan options. Five very inventive limited-edition flavours are being introduced this month: Coconut and Yuzu; Kiwifruit and Aloe vera sorbet; Summer Pavlova; Butterscotch Pecan; and Rashuns, inspired by the popular cheese-and-bacon-flavoured snack.

The Gelato Workshop on Whangaparāoa Road has also won a range of awards for its gelato. Its most popular flavours include Snickers, Ferrero Rocher and Strawberry Sorbet. It also offers a Banana and Peanut Butter flavour that can be enjoyed by both people and their dogs.

For those after a classic summer treat, Big Manly Ice Cream serves real fruit ice cream from a trailer on Manly Beach. It is open on weekends from 8.30am to 4.30pm, with a selection of toppings available.