[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"page-about-us":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"slug":6,"lead_copy":7,"content":8,"wysiwyg_content":9,"hero_image":10,"seo_title":11,"seo_keywords":12,"seo_description":13,"seo_og_title":9,"seo_og_description":9,"seo_og_image":9,"body_html":14,"tour_considerations_title":9,"tour_we_offer_title":9,"tour_considerations":9,"tour_we_offer":9,"footnote_title":9,"footnote_content":9,"footnote_cta_label":9,"footnote_cta_url":9,"sort":9,"contact_physical_address":9,"contact_postal_address":9,"contact_phone":9,"contact_email":9,"contact_form_heading":9,"contact_map_lat":9,"contact_map_lng":9,"accommodation_items":15,"faq_items":16,"testimonial_items":17,"team_items":18,"transport_items":47},2,"About Us","about-us","In the summer of 2003, a passion for golf and travel inspired Will Owen to purchase a small minibus and begin offering daily golf excursions for visitors to Christchurch, New Zealand.","\u003Cp>What started as a simple service quickly grew in popularity through hotel partnerships and online marketing, leading Will to expand tours across the South Island. By 2004, he was hosting his first multi-day golf tour for a group from Australia, alongside customized self-drive itineraries for golfers from around the world. By the summer of 2005, Playing Around New Zealand was firmly established, with first-class guides joining Will to deliver truly nationwide golf experiences. Fast forward to 2025, and thousands of golfers from across the globe have enjoyed the expertly planned itineraries and personalized service provided by Will and his team. Lifelong friendships have been formed, and many guests have returned for their second, third, or even fourth New Zealand golf adventure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Will leads a dedicated team of professionals from his Auckland office. Over the past two decades, he has cultivated strong relationships with New Zealand’s premier golf courses and luxury accommodation providers, ensuring every guest enjoys the very best of what the country has to offer. The company also operates a fleet of Mercedes vehicles, available exclusively for self-drive and guided golf tours. Expanding beyond New Zealand, Playing Around New Zealand has recently launched an outbound program for local golfers, drawing inspiration from world-class courses and services in the USA, Europe, and Asia. As proud members of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), we uphold the highest standards of service, professionalism, and integrity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contact us today and let one of our New Zealand-based experts craft the perfect golf itinerary for your next adventure.\u003C\u002Fp>",null,"b00c62a9-a189-43ce-899d-84476d9af2c1","About Us | New Zealand Golf Vacations","New Zealand golf","The Auckland based staff at Playing Around New Zealand have over 50 years of combined tourism experience. They will ensure that your golf vacation in New Zealand is a memorable experience with first class organisation and superb local knowledge.","\u003Cheader id=\"site-header\" class=\"site-header\">\n    \u003Cdiv class=\"content-max-width\">\n\n        \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fhome\" class=\"logo\">\n            \u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fimages\u002Flogo.svg\" alt=\"Playing Around New Zealand | Golf Tours | Luxury Guided Vacations\">\n        \u003C\u002Fa>\n\n        \u003Cnav>\n            \u003Cul>\n                \u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fhome\">Home \u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n                \u003Cli>\n                    \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fabout-us\" class=\"selected\">About Us \u003Cspan class=\"icon-angle-down\">\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\n                    \u003Cul>\n                        \u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Ftestimonials\" class=\"selected\">Testimonials\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n                        \u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Ffaq\" 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\u003Cul>\n                                                                                                            \u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fgolf-packages\u002Fluxury-vacations\">Luxury Golf Tours\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n                                                            \u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fgolf-packages\u002Fcustom-itineraries\">Custom Itineraries\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n                                                            \u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fgolf-packages\u002Fguided-nz-golf-tours\">Guided NZ Golf Tours\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n                                                            \u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fgolf-packages\u002Faustralia-pacific\">Australia & Pacific\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n                                                                                                \u003C\u002Ful>\n                \u003C\u002Fli>\n                \u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fcontact-us\">Contact\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n                \u003Cli class=\"phone\">\u003Ca href=\"tel:6495364560\">+64 9 536 4560\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n            \u003C\u002Ful>\n\n        \u003C\u002Fnav>\n\n        \u003Cbutton onclick=\"slideMenu('open')\" class=\"hamburger mobile\">\n            \u003Cspan class=\"icon-ico-menu\">\u003C\u002Fspan>\n        \u003C\u002Fbutton>\n    \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fheader>\n        \u003Cnav id=\"mobile-menu\" status=\"closed\">\n    \u003Cbutton onclick=\"slideMenu('close')\" class=\"menu-close-icon\">\n        \u003Cspan class=\"icon-cross\">\u003C\u002Fspan>\n    \u003C\u002Fbutton>\n    \u003Cdiv class=\"menu-content\">\n        \u003Cul>\n            \u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fhome\">Home \u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n            \u003Cli class=\"mobile-menu-parent\">\n                \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fabout-us\" class=\"selected\">About Us\u003C\u002Fa>\n                \u003Cspan 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Pacific\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n                                                            \u003C\u002Ful>\n            \u003C\u002Fli>\n            \u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fcontact-us\">Contact\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n            \u003Cli class=\"phone\">\u003Ca href=\"tel:6495364560\">+64 9 536 4560\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n        \u003C\u002Ful>\n    \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fnav>\n        \u003C!--[if !IE]> -->\n        \u003Csection id=\"site-loader\" class=\"no-loader\">\n    \u003Cdiv class=\"loader\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n    \n    \n\n\u003C\u002Fsection>\n        \u003C!-- \u003C![endif]-->\n        \u003Cmain role=\"main\" class=\"main page-about\">\n\n\t\u003Csection class=\"title-module\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fimages\u002F20181221093606.jpeg\" alt=\"About Us\" class=\"hero\">\n\t\t\t\t\u003Ch1>About Us\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\t\u003C\u002Fsection>\n\n\t\u003Csection class=\"detail-container\">\n\t\t\u003Cdiv class=\"content-max-width content\">\n\t\t\t\u003Cdiv class=\"wysiwyg\">\n\t\t\t\t\u003Ch2 class=\"leadcopy\"> In the summer of 2003, a passion for golf and travel inspired Will Owen to purchase a small minibus and begin offering daily golf excursions for visitors to Christchurch, New Zealand. \u003C\u002Fh2>\n\t\t\t\t\u003Cp>What started as a simple service quickly grew in popularity through hotel partnerships and online marketing, leading Will to expand tours across the South Island. By 2004, he was hosting his first multi-day golf tour for a group from Australia, alongside customized self-drive itineraries for golfers from around the world. By the summer of 2005, Playing Around New Zealand was firmly established, with first-class guides joining Will to deliver truly nationwide golf experiences. Fast forward to 2025, and thousands of golfers from across the globe have enjoyed the expertly planned itineraries and personalized service provided by Will and his team. Lifelong friendships have been formed, and many guests have returned for their second, third, or even fourth New Zealand golf adventure.\u003Cbr>Today, Will leads a dedicated team of professionals from his Auckland office. Over the past two decades, he has cultivated strong relationships with New Zealand’s premier golf courses and luxury accommodation providers, ensuring every guest enjoys the very best of what the country has to offer. The company also operates a fleet of Mercedes vehicles, available exclusively for self-drive and guided golf tours. Expanding beyond New Zealand, Playing Around New Zealand has recently launched an outbound program for local golfers, drawing inspiration from world-class courses and services in the USA, Europe, and Asia. As proud members of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), we uphold the highest standards of service, professionalism, and integrity.\u003Cbr>Contact us today and let one of our New Zealand-based experts craft the perfect golf itinerary for your next adventure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\t\t\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\t\u003C\u002Fsection>\n\t\u003Csection class=\"team-module\">\n\t\t\u003Cdiv class=\"content-max-width\">\n\n\t\t\t\u003Ch3>Meet the team\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\t\t\t\u003Cdiv class=\"team-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Carticle>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fimages\u002F20181108101122.jpeg\" alt=\"Will Owen\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Ch4>Will Owen\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Cp class=\"position\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFounder and Managing Partner\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Ca href=\"mailto:will@playgolf.co.nz\">will@playgolf.co.nz\u003C\u002Fa>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Cdiv class=\"content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Cp>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWill is the Managing Director and founder of Playing Around New Zealand. He has spent the last twenty years living and breathing New Zealand golf travel and utilizes his vast experience and knowledge when planning New Zealand golf travel itineraries for visitors from across the globe. Recently he has also been organising International trips for New Zealand golfers including the magnificent courses in Scotland and Ireland as well as The Masters in Augusta. Away from the business, Will spends most of his time with his family, fishing on the Hauraki Gulf or on the golf course where he plays off a 7 handicap.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Cbutton class=\"js-toggle-content\">Read more\u003C\u002Fbutton>\n\t\t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Farticle>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Carticle>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fimages\u002F20181108103206.png\" alt=\"Rebecca Owen\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Ch4>Rebecca Owen\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Cp class=\"position\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOperations Manager\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Ca href=\"mailto:becky@playgolf.co.nz\">becky@playgolf.co.nz\u003C\u002Fa>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Cdiv class=\"content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Cp>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRebecca took over the reins as Operations Manager in 2009 following a career in Project Management. Rebecca ensures that every detail of each itinerary is personally taken care of and when our guests make a request she is the person that makes everything happen! Away from the business Rebecca is kept very busy by her two children but enjoys watching live sport and taking overseas trips. She also hopes to return to playing golf in the near future.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003Cbutton class=\"js-toggle-content\">Read more\u003C\u002Fbutton>\n\t\t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Farticle>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\t\t\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\t\u003C\u002Fsection>\n\n\n\u003C\u002Fmain>\n        \u003Cfooter class=\"site-footer\">\n    \u003Cdiv class=\"content-max-width\">\n\n        \u003Cdiv class=\"links\">\n            \u003Cdiv class=\"left\">\n                \u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fimages\u002Flogo.svg\" alt=\"Playing Around \">\n            \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n            \u003Cdiv class=\"right\">\n                \u003Ca href=\"tel:6495364560\" class=\"phone\">+64 9 536 4560\u003C\u002Fa>\n                \u003Ca href=\"mailto:info@playgolf.co.nz\" class=\"email\">info@playgolf.co.nz\u003C\u002Fa>\n                \u003Cdiv class=\"social\">\n                    \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002FNewZealandGolf\u002F\">\u003Cspan class=\"icon-facebook\">\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\n                    \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.instagram.com\u002Fplaygolfnz\u002F\">\u003Cspan class=\"icon-twitter\">\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\n                \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n            \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n        \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n        \u003Cdiv class=\"footer-legal\">\n            \u003Cp class=\"copyright\">\n                Play Golf © 2026 All rights reserved\n            \u003C\u002Fp>\n            \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fterms-and-conditions\" class=\"terms\">Terms & Conditions\u003C\u002Fa>\n            \n        \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n    \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Ffooter>\n        \n        \u003C!-- the js files that are compiled -->\n        \u003C!---->",[],[],[],[19,26,33,40],{"id":4,"sort":4,"status":20,"name":21,"position":22,"email":23,"content":24,"image":25},"published","Will Owen","Founder and Managing Partner","will@playgolf.co.nz","\u003Cp>Will is the Managing Director and founder of Playing Around New Zealand. He has spent the last twenty years living and breathing New Zealand golf travel and utilizes his vast experience and knowledge when planning New Zealand golf travel itineraries for visitors from across the globe. Recently he has also been organising International trips for New Zealand golfers including the magnificent courses in Scotland and Ireland as well as The Masters in Augusta. Away from the business, Will spends most of his time with his family, fishing on the Hauraki Gulf or on the golf course where he plays off a 7 handicap.\u003C\u002Fp>","98f3fa31-8212-49c4-9e74-2e2005e71e1d",{"id":27,"sort":27,"status":20,"name":28,"position":29,"email":30,"content":31,"image":32},4,"Rebecca Owen","Accounts Manager","becky@playgolf.co.nz","\u003Cp>Rebecca has been part of Playing Around New Zealand since day one, supporting the business from its earliest days and growing alongside it. She manages the company’s accounts and financial administration, handling invoicing, reconciliations, and supplier payments with her trademark accuracy and steady reliability. Rebecca is also a passionate horse lover, and much of her spare time is spent riding and caring for her horses. Her down‑to‑earth nature and long‑standing commitment make her a valued and trusted member of the team.\u003C\u002Fp>","b2c7a8e1-a440-4ca1-b5b9-a5e80d658c18",{"id":34,"sort":34,"status":20,"name":35,"position":36,"email":37,"content":38,"image":39},5,"Aiden Blackler","Executive Tour Assistant","aiden@playgolf.co.nz","\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\">Aiden joined the Playing Around New Zealand team in 2026, bringing with him a rare blend of international experience and deep industry knowledge. After three years in the United Kingdom working across some of England’s most exclusive private golf clubs, he went on to support tour operations for a multinational golf tourism company delivering programmes in Spain, the USA, the UAE, and South Africa. With more than eight years immersed in the game — from the Pro Shop to the Caddyshack — Aiden has built a comprehensive understanding of both the operational and on\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Cambria Math',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Cambria Math';\">‑\u003C\u002Fspan>course sides of golf. His career includes two seasons at the now\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Cambria Math',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Cambria Math';\">‑\u003C\u002Fspan>iconic Tara Iti and a tenure at the ultra\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Cambria Math',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Cambria Math';\">‑\u003C\u002Fspan>exclusive Beaverbrook in England, further sharpening his insight into premium golf service and guest expectations. A keen golfer himself, Aiden maintains a scratch handicap and still spends his weekends on course with friends and family. His passion for the game, paired with his global experience and commitment to exceptional service, makes him an invaluable part of the team.\u003C\u002Fp>","2645fdb5-e606-43d9-a568-fdb354e7d065",{"id":41,"sort":41,"status":20,"name":42,"position":43,"email":44,"content":45,"image":46},6,"Gavin Meyer","Golf Operations Manager","gavin@playgolf.co.nz","\u003Cp>Gavin combines a wealth of business experience with a lifelong passion for golf, making him the ideal host and guide for visiting golfers in New Zealand. Playing off a 5 handicap, Gavin has spent years exploring the country’s golfing landscape and is on the cusp of an extraordinary achievement— record few in New Zealand can match: he has played every 18-hole course in the North Island and is just 17 courses away from completing the full set across the South Island—an achievement that would see him play every 18-hole golf course in the country. Few know New Zealand’s courses, their character, and their hidden gems as well as Gavin. As a tour guide, Gavin brings not only his in-depth golfing expertise but also strong communication and organizational skills developed throughout his career. His knowledge of the game, paired with his firsthand experience of nearly every course in the country, ensures that clients enjoy a seamless, insightful, and memorable golfing journey across New Zealand.\u003C\u002Fp>","faaba87c-abda-457f-ae9f-e46bc1bbd3aa",[]]