Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary — Attraction in North Island

Wairakei International – Where You Can Golf Under a Toilet Roof (But Only Get 5 Holes for It)

We booked Wairakei International hoping for world-class winter golf. What we got instead was 5 holes, flooded greens, and a crash course in customer service spin.

By the 6th hole, the course had turned into a marsh. We were literally huddled under the toilet roof trying to stay dry (a scene straight out of a survival film), when the course marshal arrived and told us: “It’s too wet, go back in and talk to staff.”

Fair enough, So we squelched back to the clubhouse, half-soaked, half-hopeful for a raincheck. The receptionist was decent — offered us a full 18-hole credit the next day… but only if we played in different groups, which wasn’t great since we’d booked as a group of four.

Enter: The Manager. Or maybe Assistant, but he was only the middle man between hidden management? We still don’t know, because he never introduced himself, but he sure acted like he owned the place and the weather. According to him, the marshal never told us to stop playing (despite our entire group confirming it happened — again, under a toilet roof), and the best they could offer was a 9-hole credit. Yep. For a 5-hole washout.

Then — because irony is alive and well — the sun came out. Not joking: ten minutes later, clear skies. But now the story changed. Suddenly, we were told the course was officially closed due to unsafe conditions. No one else could play. Okay... so it’s too dangerous to golf, but apparently not dangerous enough to warrant anything more than a 9-hole voucher.

We paid the winter rate — $165 — which is fair due to damp conditions which we expected. And these weren’t standard “winter conditions”; this was floodplain-level saturation.When a service can’t be delivered due to conditions outside your control, you’re owed a refund or a full credit. Being told to stop, then told the course is closed, then being offered half a credit? That doesn’t line up.

Wairakei’s course is undeniably beautiful. But when your guests are left hiding under a dunny roof in biblical rain, and your only follow-up is denial and a 9-hole raincheck, it kind of washes away the charm.

We came for 18 holes. We got 5 holes, 2 puddles in each shoe, and a customer experience drier than the...

Is Wairakei New Zealand’s Augusta? It’s a luxurious golfing experience that leaves you feeling special and spoilt. Attention to detail is evidently important at Wairakei; the attention to detail that the team show to the guests and the attention to detail on the course, all world class. The visual beauty of the sanctuary continuously lulls you into a false sense of security, hiding the ongoing challenge of a brilliant, tough and testing meadowland layout. Tee boxes, fairways and greens are in excellent condition as one would expect on a world class facility such as this. The layout is generous, pulling you in to what you think are wide open spaces of closely cropped green turf, but smartly protected by well positioned fairway bunkers and contoured fairway cuts. Shots to the green need careful consideration as the green side bunkers are very well placed and not the easiest to get out of. If I have one criticism, it would about the inconsistency of the bunker sand that varied from hole to hole, making bunker play a bit of a gamble. The greens have little of the modern contouring, but certainly had very subtle breaks and nuances to keep you focussed. Good speed and a true roll rewarded positive putting. I do believe this is New Zealand’s Augusta and every golfer should have it on their bucket list. The very friendly team at Wairakei can be very proud of what they deliver here everyday. Thank you, that was...

A Wild Round at Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary

We recently played 18 holes at Wairakei Golf Course, and let me tell you, it was one for the books. The first 16 holes? Absolute perfection—beautiful views, flawless greens, and wildlife sightings straight out of a nature documentary. Then, just as we thought we were cruising to a smooth finish, the heavens decided we needed a proper rinse. The last two holes were more water hazard than golf, but hey, it was still a blast!

The staff were legends—super friendly and quick to offer towels to dry off after the rain tried to turn us into drowned rats. And even though we finished later than planned, they stayed open just so we could grab a well-earned beer. That’s what I call hospitality.

As for the wildlife, it’s not every day you tee off with deer watching your swing (including an albino one for extra magic points), plus Takahe and pheasants casually hanging out like they own the place.

The driving range and practice facilities? Top-tier. If my game didn’t improve after that warm-up, I really can’t blame the course.

All in all, an amazing day out. Highly recommend, rain or shine—or both, as...