New Zealand Golf for Incentive Groups

The short answer

New Zealand golf suits small incentive groups that want well-known courses and the scenery around them. Te Arai and Kauri Cliffs in Northland, Cape Kidnappers in Hawke's Bay and Jack's Point near Queenstown are often requested. Explera DMC's New Zealand team requests tee times, plans flights and transfers, and builds a programme for non-golfers.

Golf is a reward that travels well across source markets, and New Zealand puts several of its best-known courses above the sea. Our New Zealand team has the full planning notes in its New Zealand golf guide for incentive groups. This page is the short version.

Which Courses Do Groups Ask For?

Te Arai, Northland. On the coast north of Auckland, within reach for a group starting in the city.
Kauri Cliffs, Northland. Above the coast in the far north, and often paired with a Bay of Islands stay.
Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay. On the cliffs south-east of Napier, in a wine region.
Jack's Point, Queenstown. Beside Lake Wakatipu, with other Queenstown courses close by.

A golfer swinging a club on a sunny fairway

What Shapes a Golf Programme?

Distance between regions. Northland, Hawke's Bay and Queenstown are far apart, so a golf week usually links them by domestic flights.
Room for golf bags. Coaches and private vehicles need space for bags as well as luggage, and bag space on domestic flights is confirmed with the airline.
Small blocks of tee times. A large incentive group may be split across courses or days.
Wind on the coast. We keep a spare half day and a wet-weather option in the programme.
Biosecurity on arrival. Used golf clubs and sports shoes must be declared, and clients should clean off all soil before they fly.

A golfer crouching to read the green beside the flag

How Does Explera Plan It?

Course terms at quotation. Each course sets its own green fees, booking windows, group sizes and visitor rules, and our New Zealand team confirms them for every group.
A parallel programme. Partners and non-golfers can join wine tastings in Hawke's Bay, a Bay of Islands cruise or Queenstown activities while the golfers play.
Shared evenings. We bring both groups together for dinners and the awards night.
Early requests. Most groups play between October and April, and the Christmas to late January peak fills rooms and tee times first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which New Zealand golf courses suit incentive groups?

Groups often ask for Te Arai and Kauri Cliffs in Northland, Cape Kidnappers in Hawke's Bay and Jack's Point near Queenstown. Our New Zealand team confirms availability and rules for each course.

Can a large group play on the same day?

Tee times come in small blocks, so a large group may be split across courses or days.

Do golf clubs need to be declared on arrival?

Yes. Used golf clubs and sports shoes must be declared on arrival, and clients should clean off all soil before they fly.

Can New Zealand golf be combined with other destinations?

Yes. Explera DMC plans programmes in Thailand, Japan and Korea as well, so a golf incentive can add another destination before or after New Zealand.

Sources

Bringing shoes, clothing and equipment to New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries

Where Explera Fits

Our New Zealand team plans regional group programmes at net rates for travel agents, tour operators and MICE planners, and we combine New Zealand with programmes in our other destinations.

Write to b2b@explera.co.nz or message +66 93 656 8090 on WhatsApp. Explera DMC is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (900408341).