Te Arai, a small community on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand, lies near the northern end of the Auckland Region. Te Arai offers pristine white sandy beaches at the end of picturesque rural roads and a popular campground within the regional park. A surfer’s paradise, the area is known for consistent, safe conditions, and it’s an utterly gorgeous spot for a day at the beach. Its abundant fishing grounds are just a stone’s throw away, or simply relax and gaze out over the water.

The remote region offers an excellent lineup of eateries serving tasty food, from bakeries and takeaways for a quick bite to cafes and restaurants for a sit-down meal. Tourism and farming are the predominant activities in the area. Among the bird species found here is the critically endangered New Zealand fairy tern, of which only 11 breeding pairs are left in the world.

Te Arai Links, a new world-class luxury resort positioned along the Te Arai coastline of New Zealand, is located a scenic 75-minute drive from Auckland or 25 minutes by helicopter. Travelers will find themselves immersed in another world – surrounded by trees, sand dunes and coastal views over one of the country’s most beautiful, white-sand beaches boasting an epic surf break. With the lively market towns of Mangawhai and Matakana close by, the Te Arai destination is also home to numerous wineries and olive groves, many of which have cellar doors and excellent vineyard restaurants and breweries. After opening in late 2022, Te Arai Links will now celebrate the addition of multiple restaurants and stunning villas in October 2024.

The resort quickly catapulted to the top of golfers’ bucket lists thanks to two of the top courses in the world, designed by Tom Doak (North Course opened Oct 2023) the other by Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (opened Oct 2022). A significant difference from other golf resorts is the gorgeous design and thoughtful interiors done by Jenni Kayne, marking it as her first resort project.

Jim Rohrstaff, Managing Director at Te Arai Links, says, “The biggest challenge with the North Course was that it was the second course to be built at Te Arai Links as well as the third including Tara Iti next door. Being the second or third course has its challenges by constantly being compared to its siblings. This was Tom Doak’s second course with us here after he did the original at Tara Iti. Another challenge is having the second course at the resort be completely different, however just as good as the first to open. The South Course debuted in its first year as a top 100 course in the world, so that is no small feat to compete with that course, while also being very different. We think that Tom Doak and his team gave us a course that is completely different than the South Course, but stacks up incredibly well. Golf Digest just named the North Course at Te Arai Links as 36th in the world with the South Course at 40th in the world. So for us, as well as traveling golfers, this is a huge win. They can come down and stay at one property and play multiple top ranked courses that offer very different playing experiences.”

The resort’s accommodations are luxurious, drawing on colors and tones of the coastal environment. Options include 48 Suites, 19 two-bedroom Ocean Cottages and five new gorgeous four-bedroom Villas. The Suites, Ocean Cottages and Villas each offer something unique and have been designed to reflect the landscape of the surrounding area.

Activities that will delight the entire family include pickleball, tennis, basketball, walking trails, horseback riding, water sports, in-villa spa treatments and a two-acre putting green called the Playground, which just happens to be the world’s largest. Perhaps the best way to capture the beauty of the area is by air. Helicopter tours and transfers can be booked with a wide range of options to suit all guests.

Four delectable onsite dining options showcase a variety of cuisine from around the world, including elevated dining with Asian touches at the Ocean Restaurant (opening in October 2024), wood-fired pizza at Ric’s Restaurant, Mexican-inspired dining at the North Clubhouse (opening in November 2024) and the Halfway House on the North Course.

Relax and be prepared to be pampered with a personalized yoga session with a private instructor in your accommodations or at a scenic location around Te Arai Links. Anything is possible, from sunrise yoga on the beach or a post-golf stretch session. For the more adventurous, the area’s natural beauty provides many options for an outdoor enthusiast. Enjoy a horseback adventure to really connect with the surrounding environment. Rides can be tailored to suit all guests, from slow and steady to fast and exhilarating. Stand up paddle boarding is safe, fun, and easy, and it’s the perfect way to experience the beautiful coastline from a whole new perspective. No matter your preference, Te Arai Links is ready to accommodate.

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