Wairakei Golf and Sanctuary

Wairakei Golf and Sanctuary course is located just 10 kilometres from Taupo town centre, midway between Auckland and Wellington, in the heart of the spectacular scenery of the Lake Taupo region. Designed by Commander John Harris, Michael Wolveridge and Peter Thomson with the aim of producing New Zealand’s first internationally recognised golf course, there is little doubt that this trio exceeded all expectations. The end result is a golf course that sprawls over 450 acres of natural countryside. This coupled with the 6429 metres from the championship tees and 108 large well placed bunkers has led Wairakei to receive worldwide acclaim.


In 2011 a project to build a two metre high fence around the perimeter of the property was completed. The new predator free sanctuary offers a safe haven to fallow deer and many birdlife including mixed colour pheasants, guinea fowl, peking ducks and our nation’s icon, the kiwi, which are all free to roam around the golf course.

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