The developers of two of New Zealand’s most acclaimed golf properties — Te Arai Links and Tara Iti — are the impetus behind a multimillion-dollar redevelopment and reimagining of The Hills, an exclusive private club in Queenstown.

Jim Rohrstaff and U.S. billionaire Ric Kayne partnered with Sir Michael Hill and his daughter Emma Hill to undertake the forthcoming transformation of The Hills, which is nestled in a glacial valley on New Zealand’s South Island.

“We share a lot of the same goals and vision—always striving for improvement, to make places that endure and that are ultimately ‘legacy’ assets and projects that we are extremely proud of,” said Rohrstaff, who is the managing partner at Te Arai, just north of Auckland, and heads New Zealand real estate brokerage Legacy Partners.

The overhaul of The Hills includes a complete renovation of the existing golf course spearheaded by the acclaimed Australian golf course design firm Ogilvy, Cocking & Mead (OCM). OCM’s portfolio includes restoration work at prestigious venues such as Kingston Heath in Australia and Medinah in Illinois, along with new designs like the forthcoming private destination club in Minnesota called Tepetonka.

One of the partners in OCM is Australian professional golfer Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 U.S. Open champion whose playing career has informed his architectural philosophy.

OCM’s course modifications are scheduled to begin in April 2026 and the renovation timeline spans multiple years. The project aims to enhance walkability through a fresh routing and will be executed over two consecutive winters, with completion anticipated in 2028.

Reimagining The Hills

Beyond the golf course, the redevelopment to update, enhance and add amenities at The Hills extends to a new golf training facility, fitness center, on-site accommodations, and luxury real estate offerings valued at several hundred million dollars. The clubhouse will also receive a remodel, including a new golf shop.

Perhaps the most exclusive member club in New Zealand, the golf course at The Hills was built by New Zealand golf architect John Darby and debuted in 2007. It was originally a personal retreat for successful New Zealand businessman Michael Hills and his family, but evolved from nine holes to a full 18-hole championship layout that’s hosted numerous tournaments, including the NZ Open. The property also includes a 9-hole short course designed by Darius Oliver called The Farm.

Under the new partnership, The Hills will transition to a high-end equity golf club model with limited membership. It will be similar to the successful format employed at Tara Iti, which Golf Digest ranks 7th globally among courses outside the U.S.

Both Tara Iti and Te Arai Links (which is public) have courses ranked among the Top 100 in the world.

The Hills Sculpture Park

One of The Hills’ most distinctive features — its collection of dramatic sculptures — will remain integral to the property’s character through the renovation.

The Hills Sculpture Park comprises 15 unique pieces from various artists situated throughout the golf course. Five were created by Mark Hill, the son of the property owner and an accomplished sculptor who works primarily in forged and welded corten and stainless steel. His works include a large-scale interpretation of New Zealand’s native Weta bug along the first fairway and a series of oversized dragonflies with six-foot wingspans adorning a lake by the sixth fairway.

Perhaps the most spectacular installation is “The Wolves are Coming” by Chinese sculptor Liu Ruowang, which features a 10-foot warrior surrounded by 110 wolves, each measuring approximately six feet in length. The piece, which Sir Michael Hill acquired after viewing it at a Beijing exhibition in 2010, creates a dramatic scene along the 18th fairway against the backdrop of Queenstown’s stunning landscape.

The overhaul of The Hills — and an investment of tens of millions of dollars — is an ambitious new chapter meant to preserve the legacy of the founding family and a course that might eventually rival its esteemed New Zealand neighbors.