Tara Iti is a relatively new golf course, having opened only in 2015, but it already ranks among the most prestigious international rankings in the field. One reason for this might be its location—on the shores of the Te Arai Beach nature reserve, on the northwest coast of New Zealand’s North Island, about 65 km north of Auckland. If you think it feels like the end of the world, you’re right. But if the world has to end somewhere, at least it should be in this breathtaking scenery.
The entrance to the facility is through a dense pine forest, which suddenly opens up to a carpet of lush green grass growing tenaciously over white sand dunes that descend to Arai Point’s white beach and from there to the Pacific Ocean. Looking north, you can spot, beyond the water and mist, the familiar silhouettes of the mountains from “Middle-earth,” as seen in the “Lord of the Rings” films.
The entire stunning area once belonged to a local Māori tribe, who referred to it as “the place where the land reaches up to the heavens.” And if you ever visit, you’ll likely agree that they weren’t exaggerating. The Māori sold the land in 2012 to an American billionaire named Richard Kane, after he explicitly promised to preserve the area’s original character.
On the surface, it seems that Kane has kept his promise. The 18 holes of the course are peacefully nestled between green dunes and white bunkers, with the course bordered by pines and the ocean. The clubhouse itself—a low, rectangular building—blends beautifully with the surroundings. Nearby, eight luxurious yet understated cottages were built, designed for club members and guests fortunate enough to receive an invitation.
Bottom line: it’s all about the location…
