The Mount will be a hive of activity this week when a two-day social beach volleyball festival serves up excitement for the first time in New Zealand.

Now in its 15th year, the Slam Beach Volleyball Festival is bringing a slice of Australian beach culture to the Main Beach at Mount Maunganui on January 8-9.

The Slam Beach Volleyball Festival is coming to the Mount for the first time. Photo: Supplied.

On Thursday, beach-goers can try the sport at the Community Have-A-Go Day from 11am, while Friday is the official Slam Beach Volleyball Festival.

From 9.30am on Friday, teams of six-to-eight people will play for sponsor or cash prizes, with round robin and knock-out rounds throughout the day determining the cup, plate or bowl winners.

Slam communications spokesperson Maggie Elliot says the event, supported by some of summer's hottest brands, including Corona Extra, H2Coco, Bonds, and ZM, is so popular in Aussie they're bringing the event across the ditch.

'We know that it's quite a popular summer holiday destination at the moment,” says Maggie, 'and it's just coming off the back off the New Year and the school holidays.

'We also noticed that there's quite a lot of other sporting events around that time. So we just wanted to join in on all the action.”

Giant inflatable volleyball courts will be blown up for the two-day event, with DJs and prize giveaways on offer.

Participants can also enter the Slam Best Dressed Competition by digging deep in their dress-up box for the best team costume. Teams will be judged on the day, with the winners receiving $200.

Tickets cost $30 per player. Register for the Slam Beach Volleyball Festival at: www.slamfestival.co.nz