If you could pass on just one tip to a new angler what would it be an why?

Never forget the Steinies.

Actually it would be - keep trying new things whether it's tackle, baits, techniques, locations.

Buy the very best gear you can afford. It will save you money in the long run 

1) read the New Zealand Fishing News - what do I win?

keep the rod bent when playin a fish ! why? because no bend means slack line and the fish has a good chance of  spitting or shaking the hook

Tie every knot as if its going to catch a 20pdr 

" Tight Lines "  A very old saying but one of the most important aspects of fishing and one that a newbie to fishing should have ingrained into their head as without a constant line pressure on the fish there is a better than even chance that the fish will be lost :)

If at first you dont succeed, dont get disheartened!, just always remember, at least it was better than being at work!

keep a close watch of weather, tide, temp, swell and seasonal (ie crabs changing shells, whitebait running, fish spawning etc) patterns, read/listen to as many fishing reports as you can paying attention to times, dates, locations, methods and take good notice of how your own fishing trips go. Think carefully about why some trips were frantic and others were slow, never just shrug your shoulders and pin it all on luck.

Go fishing with someone who has done it before, learn from them.

Oh yea and do it in a Kayak!