A New Zealand addition is coming: The Hills, from Jim Rohrstaff and Ric Kayne, the dynamic duo behind top New Zealand golf resorts Te Arai Links (public) and Tara Iti (private), have announced a multimillion-dollar redevelopment of The Hills in partnership with Sir Michael Hill and his daughter Emma Hill. Similar to the Tara Iti model, the new iteration of The Hills will be a high-end equity golf club with a limited membership.
This ambitious new chapter in the evolution of The Hills golf club – meant to preserve the legacy of the family and course – will include a full course rebuild by industry leading Australian golf course design firm Ogilvy, Cocking & Mead (OCM), a golf training facility, fitness center, on-site accommodations, luxurious real estate offerings and an interior remodel of the clubhouse with a new golf shop.
The course renovations, which will aim to make the course more walkable with a fresh new routing, will take place over back-to-back winters starting in April 2026. The entire project is expected to be completed in 2028.
The Hills | Arrowtown, New Zealand
Sir Michael Hill, one of the most successful businessmen in New Zealand, opened The Hills golf course on an old deer farm near Arrowtown, New Zealand, in 2007. The Hills course is designed by Darby Partners and was joined by The Farm, a nine-hole par three course designed by Darius Oliver in 2019. The original Hills course is notable for the iconic sculptures, which will remain throughout the renovation, and as a host of many New Zealand Golf Open tournaments over the years. The Hills Golf Club is located 12 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from Queenstown, known for the world’s most breathtaking scenery and as the adventure capital of the world.
Te Arai Links | Auckland, New Zealand
Te Arai Links is a new world-class golf destination positioned alongside the pristine New Zealand coastline, a scenic 75-minute drive from Auckland. The resort boasts two pure links golf courses designed by Tom Doak and the other by Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw; a variety of luxury accommodations with interiors by Jenni Kayne; pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts; walking trails and beach access; four onsite dining options; luxurious real estate offerings; and the world’s largest putting green. Both golf courses were ranked on the 2024 Golf Digest World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses (the South Course No. 40 and the North Course No. 36). Boasting coastal views over one of the country’s most stunning white sand surf beaches, guests can enjoy beach activities, local tours and in-room massage and spa treatments, with a gym and spa coming late 2025. Images.
Tara Iti Golf Club | Te Arai, New Zealand
Tara Iti is an exclusive, members-only golf club designed by Tom Doak. Currently ranked as the No. 1 golf course in New Zealand and No. 20 in the world by Golf Magazine, the rugged, seaside links layout is nestled between towering sand dunes and the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Tara Iti is located on one of New Zealand’s prime surfing beaches, approximately 100 kilometers north of Auckland and includes 11 kilometers of ocean frontage and 225 acres of sand dunes.
