# New Zealand Golf for Incentive Groups: Planning Notes > Golf for incentive groups in New Zealand: Te Arai, Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, Jack's Point, tee times and non-golfers. Source: https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-22-new-zealand-golf-incentive-groups-coastal-courses/ MICE 22 October 2026 · Explera Trade Desk · 3 min read ![A coastal golf course above the ocean under a cloudy sky](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/blog/two-golfers-fairway-above-coast-1400.webp) **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 asked for. Explera DMC New Zealand requests tee times, plans the routing and transfers, and builds a programme for guests who do not play. ## 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 Queenstown's other courses close by. Each course sets its own green fees, booking windows, group sizes and visitor rules. We confirm them for every group at quotation. ![A golfer swinging a club on a sunny fairway](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/blog/golfer-swinging-club-sunny-course-1400.webp) *A golfer swinging a club on a sunny fairway* ## How do we plan a golf programme? - **Route by region.** Northland, Hawke's Bay and Queenstown are far apart. A golf week usually links them by domestic flights, with coach or private transfers between airport, course and hotel. - **Allow for golf bags.** Vehicles need space for bags as well as luggage, and bag space on domestic flights is confirmed with the airline. - **Small groups play best.** Tee times are released in small blocks, so a large incentive group may be split across courses or days. - **Plan for the weather.** Coastal courses can be windy. We keep a spare half day and a wet-weather option in the programme. - **Clean clubs and shoes.** New Zealand's biosecurity rules treat used golf clubs and sports shoes as risk goods. Clients must declare them on arrival and should clean off all soil before they fly. ## What about guests who do not play? - **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. ![A golfer crouching to read the green beside the flag](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/blog/golfer-reading-green-sunny-day-1400.webp) *A golfer crouching to read the green beside the flag* ## When is the best season? - **Spring to autumn.** Most groups play between October and April, when days are long. The summer holiday peak from Christmas to the end of January fills rooms and tee times first. - **Book early.** We suggest requesting tee times and rooms as soon as dates are fixed. ## How Explera DMC New Zealand can help We plan [golf tours](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/golf-tours-new-zealand/) and [incentive programmes](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/new-zealand-mice-dmc-services/) for travel agents and tour operators, with [coach and private transfers](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/coach-and-private-transfers-new-zealand/). See our [MICE and incentives guide](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-05-new-zealand-mice-incentives-queenstown-auckland-rotorua/), our [Bay of Islands extension guide](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-07-auckland-stopover-bay-of-islands-extension/) and our [biosecurity guide for arriving groups](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-13-new-zealand-biosecurity-arriving-groups-declaration/). ## FAQ **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. We confirm 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. **How do groups travel between golf regions?** Usually by domestic flights between regions, with coach or private transfers that have room for golf bags. **What can non-golfers do?** We plan a parallel programme, such as wine tastings, a harbour cruise or Queenstown activities, and bring everyone together in the evening. **Do golf clubs need cleaning before arrival?** Yes. Used golf clubs and sports shoes must be declared on arrival, and clients should clean off all soil before they fly. ## Sources - [Bringing shoes, clothing and equipment to New Zealand](https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/bringing-and-posting-items-to-nz/check-if-you-can-bring-or-send-an-item-to-nz/bringing-shoes-clothing-equipment-household-and-wooden-items-cosmetics-plants-and-seeds-for-sowing-to-nz), Ministry for Primary Industries ## Talk to the trade desk Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal [b2b.expleradmc.com](https://b2b.expleradmc.com). Destinations in this briefing [Hawke's Bay](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/hawkes-bay/)[Queenstown](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/queenstown/)[Auckland](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/auckland/)[Bay of Islands](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/bay-of-islands/)[Napier](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/napier/) ## Talk to the trade desk *Your New Zealand DMC partner* From a single FIT to series groups and full MICE programmes, every New Zealand proposal is costed by hand against your brief at net rates. Send your requirements as a new email with a descriptive subject line. [b2b@explera.co.nz](mailto:b2b@explera.co.nz) [WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090](https://wa.me/66936568090) ## More from the trade blog. *Keep reading* [All posts](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/rss.xml) - [Auckland Airport Terminal Transfers for Groups](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-21-auckland-airport-terminal-transfers-groups/) - [Delta's Los Angeles–Auckland Season for US Groups](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-21-delta-los-angeles-auckland-2026-27-us-groups/) - [Christmas and New Year 2026–27 in NZ: Group Operations](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-21-new-zealand-christmas-new-year-2026-27-public-holidays-groups/)