The Restoration Project for The Hills Engages Nearby N.Z. Golf Communities of Tara Iti and Te Arai
Two notable New Zealand golf property developers, Te Arai Links and Tara Iti, are driving a multimillion-dollar overhaul and transformation of The Hills, an exclusive private club set in a glacial valley on New Zealand's South Island. This undertaking is spearheaded by Jim Rohrstaff, managing partner at Te Arai, New Zealand real estate brokerage Legacy Partners, American billionaire Ric Kayne, Sir Michael Hill, and his daughter Emma Hill.
Rohrstaff stated they share similar goals, continuously striving for improvement, creating places meant to endure, and leaving behind projects they are incredibly proud of. The project encompasses an extensive renovation of the existing golf course, overseen by the renowned Australian golf course design firm Ogilvy, Cocking & Mead (OCM).
OCM's portfolio includes high-profile work such as restoring Kingston Heath in Australia and Medinah in Illinois, along with designing new courses such as the upcoming private destination club Tepetonka in Minnesota. Geoff Ogilvy, an Australian professional golfer and 2006 U.S. Open champion, is one of OCM's partners who informs its architectural philosophy with his playing career experience.
OCM's modifications of The Hills golf course are set to start in April 2026 and are projected to last several years. The renovation aims to improve playability through contemporary routing and will be carried out over two consecutive winters, with an estimated completion date in 2028.
Redesigning The Hills
Beyond the golf course, enhancements include a top-notch golf training facility, fitness center, on-site accommodations, and luxury real estate offerings totaling several hundred million dollars. The clubhouse will undergo a remodel as well, featuring a revamped golf shop.
Initially a personal retreat for successful New Zealand businessman Michael Hills and his family, The Hills golf course was constructed by golf architect John Darby in 2007. It started as a nine-hole course, which later evolved into a 18-hole championship venue that's hosted numerous tournaments, including the NZ Open. The property also comprises a condensed 9-hole short course called The Farm, crafted by Darius Oliver.
Under this new partnership, The Hills will transition to a high-end equity golf club model with a limited membership. This follows the successful format implemented at Tara Iti, which Golf Digest ranks among the world's top 7 courses outside the U.S.
Tara Iti and Te Arai Links (a public course) both have courses ranked among the world's top 100.
The Hills Sculpture Park
Distinguished by its collection of expressive sculptures, The Hills Sculpture Park's character will persist through the renovation.
Comprising 15 unique pieces by renowned artists, the park showcases Mark Hill's works, an accomplished sculptor and the property's son, who primarily creates in forged and welded corten and stainless steel. His masterpieces include a large-scale replication of New Zealand's Weta bug and dragonfly installations dotting the lakeside.
Perhaps the most noteworthy installation, "The Wolves are Coming" by Chinese sculptor Liu Ruowang, features a 10-foot warrior surrounded by 110 wolves, each approximately six feet long. Acquired by Sir Michael Hill after viewing it at a Beijing exhibition in 2010, this dramatic installation marks the 18th fairway amidst Queenstown's spectacular landscape.
The ambitious renovation of The Hills and its substantial investment of tens of millions of dollars signifies a fresh chapter in preserving the founding family's legacy and perhaps one day surpassing its esteemed New Zealand neighbors.
- Jim Rohrstaff, from Te Arai Links and New Zealand real estate brokerage Legacy Partners, works alongside Ric Kayne, Sir Michael Hill, and his daughter Emma Hill to overhaul The Hills golf club in New Zealand.
- Geoff Ogilvy, an Australian professional golfer and 2006 U.S. Open champion, is a partner in Ogilvy, Cocking & Mead (OCM), the renowned golf course design firm overseeing the renovation of The Hills golf course.
- Ric Kayne, one of the developers, is known for his investment in Tara Iti, a top-ranked golf course in New Zealand, and now aims to transform The Hills into a high-end equity golf club with limited membership.
- OCM's modifications to The Hills golf course, starting in April 2026, will include improving playability through contemporary routing and aim to complete the project in 2028.
- The Hills Sculpture Park, with its unique installations by renowned artists like Mark Hill and Liu Ruowang, will persist through the renovation, showcasing the character of the park and its connection to the surrounding landscape.
