Ive caught them on all the main beaches around Napier. No more or less in any one area really.

Te Awanga straight would be a good place to start. I've caught a few along there.
As far as baits go, I've caught them on pretty much anything. Pilchard, Skipjack, even Squid.
They have big mouths so hook size shouldn't be a problem.
I would suggest fishing the bait on the bottom though. Floats might put the bait out of the lazy buggers reach

Here's one caught on crab..