I am assuming you’ll be at Te Arai/Tara iti?
You’ve given me a big canvas with that question. We talking touristy type activities / golf? And are you limited by things close to where you’ll be living or just throughout NZ?
1 Like
As the resident Wellingtonian here, what would be your course recommendations for a fourish day golf trip? I’m likely heading that way in late November/December this year.
Immediately I put Paraparaumu and Royal Wellington into this mix but after that it becomes a bit more tricky. Love Karori and Judgeford and Boulcott Farm ain’t bad either. But would be interested in your take on it
1 Like
Im from wellington too - if you’re here for 4 days Royal and Paraparaumu have to be on your list
Depending on where you’re staying you’ve got a bunch of options for the other courses.
If you’re coming just for golf I would stay in Kapiti and travel to two out of otaki, levin or waikanae for your other two rounds. They’re all excellent courses that are almost always in excellent condition.
Morgan’s in pauatahanui is a 9 hole with a few amazing holes you won’t find anywhere else in the region (2, 5 and 8)
If you stay closer to the hutt then I would add Shandon for sure (I’m biased as I am a member there) and maybe wainuiomata for a different test. Boulcotts is overrated imo and is in terrible condition at the moment.
3 Likes
Yeah I’d echo @gentles advice, Boulcott is not good at the moment. Ages since I played Karori but you can do better I reckon. It’s good advice to look up the coast at Ōtaki or Waikanae. Another one to think about is Te Mārua, a coin toss with Wainuiomata imo.
Edit - Judgeford is a bag of shit I reckon, too many overhanging trees and punitively narrow fairways. I hit four drivers last time I played there.
2 Likes
Yeah, I left it an open ended question because I’m moving for the golf industry and yes at Tara iti. I know nothing about New Zealand other than its amazing natural beauty. My grandparents would go fly fishing every year down there from 1988 - 2015. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Because I know I’ll be living in like the Hampton’s of New Zealand I believe.
1 Like
Would be staying relatively central in Wellington so not sure if we’d venture out that far. If you had to pick a couple of other centralish Wellington courses what would you choose?
Shandon in petone for sure is close to town.
Miramar is a fun course that’s close to the airport if you’re flying in and out
Otherwise I’d venture out to te Marua if the weather has been dry.
A lot of different ways I could go with this.
The starting point is golf - you’ll be nearby the three best courses in New Zealand so you’ve kind of got that locked down. Other Northland courses worth a round (or more) are: Mangawhai, Waipu, Kauri Cliffs, and Kaitaia. A couple others if you’ve got more time or are just a golf sicko but those are the ones I would have on my to do list.
In terms of non-golf things in summer it is hard to beat bouncing around the various beaches that you’ll be pretty close to. Northland is very much a place to spend summer with there being beaches everywhere, amazing fishing, and outdoor activities. Fishing and diving are really popular as are other boating activities.
I’d encourage you to get up to the tip of the North Island and visit Cape Reinga. Go diving out at the Poor Knights. If you want to learn a bit about our history Waitangi is really cool - a decent golf course there too. The Bay of Island is an area in Northland that is stunning with beaches and coves all around and some trips to smaller islands nearby. Heaps of cool walks to do, places to eat and drink and just relax. Really just depends on what you’re in to.
And thats just Northland. Some amazing golf in other areas here and lots of touristy or outdoorsy things worth doing if you have the time. Happy to point you in the right direction if you’d like. I lived in Northland for about 10 years all up and heading back there this summer for some golf. Genuinely one of the best places in New Zealand during summer.
1 Like
Best beaches in that area?
Near Te Arai/Tara Iti? A bunch. You’d be really close to Mangawhai Beach which is beautiful with a few nice bars on or near the waterfront. Further north up the east coast you’ve got Langs, Waipu, Ruakaka, and Uretiti. These are all beautiful sand beaches with fish and chip shops nearby, Mangawhai has a restaurant and bar with some decent views out over the beach. Really just depends what your vibe is but all are stunning
2 Likes
Would also recommend Omaha, Tawharanui and Goat Island to check out which are about 40 minutes south of Te Arai, from the previous Hamptons comment, I feel they may be that rather than Mangawhai
3 Likes
Hi everyone,
This is a bit of a long shot question, but I am just making sure I exhaust all possibilities before I have to leave the country. I am trying to find somebody with any connections to Tara Iti, so that I can come out and see the place. I came out to New Zealand last July for a year of university and I only have a month left. I have been lucky to see almost all of the best courses in NZ and Tara Iti would be the last one to check off the list. I realize that it’s not an easy place to get out on since they changed their guest policy to only allow accompanied guests, but I wouldn’t be a true golf nut if I didn’t at least try. I would even be happy to just come out there and walk around to see the place if playing isn’t possible. I’m a fairly good player and I work as a caddie back home in Toronto at St. George’s and The National. I would be a considerate and appreciative guest. I’ll only be in Auckland until the end of June, but I’d be willing to make the drive up to Mangawhai any time. If anyone has any connections please let me know I would be extremely grateful.
Thanks,
Brett
+64 2904304388
Putting some feelers out. I’ll be down in NZ, around Palmerston North, in February. Coming from Seattle.
Due to travel/work timing, I’ll be working the first half of the week, and then probably taking a vacation the next few days and leaving again Friday/Saturday.
My plan was to hit Paraparaumu on my way from Wellington to Palmerston, but getting in on Sunday morning will probably mean that’s a “rest” day, and I come back to it later in the week. Unsure if I’ll stay in Palmerston until I leave or if I’ll get a hotel in Wellington
Any other non-$500+ courses I should look at in that area of NZ?
I could probably get to Cape Kidnappers on a day trip, but that’s out of my price range unless I can somehow get a resident rate.
Please play Rangitikei (about 35 minutes from Palmerston North). Only about $40 NZD and weirdly is Craig Perks (2002 Players Champion) favourite course in the country. Was pleasantly surprised how good it was when I played it last year.
Manawatu is the best course in Palmerston North, haven’t played it personally but is well regarded and a mainstay on the NZ pro ‘tour’
If you wanted to stay on the gem side Waverley and Waitara in the Taranaki region are also highly regarded.
3 Likes
Highly recommended this. I did this earlier this year in January. It was a lot of fun. The Down Under thread - ANZAC adjacent - #2358 by catshannon
2 Likes
You played those in such sicko conditions, I need to find a way to Waitara this summer
1 Like
Yup, it was awesome. Brown, firm and fast, with just the greens and some surrounds that were watered 
1 Like
Awesome! I had Rangitikei and Waverley both pinned as maybes! (I’ve got a NZ trip Google map list of hotels/restaurants from coworkers who have gone before me, and golf courses to maybe play), so those go to the top of the list
I had actually not looked at Manawatu since I assumed it was private, but it looks easy enough to get on if I have the time.
99% of courses down here are Public thankfully. Most might hold back tee times on Saturdays or early Sundays for members but other than that it is pretty easy to get a tee time.
2 Likes