Luxury Golf & Travel To New Zealand
Luxury Golf & Travel To New Zealand
Somewhere on the wild west coast of Horowhenua, a patch of coastal duneland is being transformed into what may become the finest links course in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Douglas Links broke ground in February 2026, and golf tourists visiting New Zealand now have a very good reason to plan their trip around 2028.
Located at 765 Muhunoa West Road in Ōhau, just north of Wellington, this $50 million project does far more than add a course to the landscape. It sets out to strip golf back to its purest form while restoring one of New Zealand’s most rugged and beautiful stretches of coastline.
The Douglas Links is the brainchild of Hamish Edwards, co-founder of Xero, whose family has called the Wellington and Kāpiti regions home for over 100 years. The name “Douglas” honors his father and the longstanding family tradition of naming the firstborn son of each generation after him.
Edwards shared his motivation clearly during the planning process: “I have a huge respect for the land at Ōhau. I see this as much an ecology and sustainability project as I do about building a world-class golf experience.” That ethos drives every decision on site.
"I have a huge respect for the land at Ōhau. I see this as much an ecology and sustainability project as I do about building a world-class golf experience."
Edwards is working alongside world-renowned golf course architect Darius Oliver to transform Campbells Farm into a Top 100 global golf destination. Their guiding philosophy centres on minimal intervention, allowing the deep beds of free-draining coastal sand to shape the course as naturally as possible.
Oliver explains the approach: “We have an opportunity to use some beautiful natural features and restore large swathes of degraded coastal land.” The development brings together three major initiatives that reflect this commitment.
Nearly 200,000 native plants will be planted across the dunes, actively restoring the coastal ecosystem.
Much of the $40 to $50 million capital spend flows directly into the local economy, with regional contractors handling everything from earthworks to the removal of large exotic pine and macrocarpa trees.
The site will include modest, sustainably designed accommodation for up to 40 guests, built to sit quietly within the natural landscape rather than dominate it.
Oliver’s routing weaves through duneland, riverfront, and beachfront terrain, creating a layout that rewards creativity and ground-game shot-making. Several standout features set this course apart.
Holes 4, 14, 16, and 17 all play directly alongside the beach, offering dramatic coastal views and genuine links challenge.
Firm fescue playing surfaces replicate the bouncy, running ball flight that defines traditional Scottish and Irish links golf.
To preserve the natural character of the land, the course operates without carts and keeps man-made infrastructure to a minimum.
The Douglas Links deliberately moves away from the exclusive private-retreat model that defines so many destination golf courses. Edwards has been clear about his intention: “We will not build an exclusive golf course for wealthy overseas tourists.” Instead, the course will carry fair pricing and welcome players of all backgrounds.
The clubhouse will reflect a laid-back Kiwi beach atmosphere. The dress code is relaxed, and the message to golfers is simple: keep your hat on, wear a t-shirt, and bring your jandals. The food offering will draw on locally sourced produce, from Horowhenua olive oil to regional wines, giving guests a genuine taste of the area alongside their round.
Community consultation and cultural partnership sit at the foundation of this project. The team worked closely with Ngāti Kikopiri, Ngāti Tukorehe, and the Muaūpoko Tribal Authority throughout the planning process to ensure the history and sense of place of the land are respected and meaningfully shared with every visitor who walks the course.
With preliminary shaping now underway, led by Oliver and lead shaper Lindsay Richter, the course follows a two-year construction and grow-in timeline. The Douglas Links targets a 2028 opening, at which point it will make its case as one of the finest and most distinctive golf experiences in the Southern Hemisphere.
Keep an eye on this one. New Zealand golf is about to get a whole lot more interesting.
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