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The four luxurious Ridgeline Suites on offer – two self-contained Cottage Suites and two Homestead Suites within the original homestead building – boast incredible mountain, lake or river views and supreme privacy.

Sleeping up to two people each, and named after the native birds that frequent Mahu Whenua, each Suite features a king or king-split bed and ensuite with bath.

Visitors staying in the Suites will have a host and chef available to them. They will also have access to all Homestead facilities including two open fireplaces, a large open living area with expansive views, a fully equipped farmhouse kitchen, two dining areas, a media and games room, library, pool table, plenty of storage and dry room.

Outside, guests can take their pick from several spots to unwind — two additional dining areas, a spa pool, sheltered swimming pool and a large deck looking out to Lake Wanaka and Mt Aspiring National Park.

Accommodation includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon teas, pre-dinner canapés, refreshments and picnics, as well as premium local wine and beverages served with dinner.

Ms Stevens said the owners were incredibly excited to announce the new accommodation offering and meet this demand so soon after launching.

“We have a small but dedicated and extremely knowledgeable team on board to support our guests including an in-house chef, concierge and private guides,” she said.

The Suites and main Homestead rooms have been refurbished to ‘fit’ with the homestead buildings, their unbeatable setting and the environmental ethos of the high country land and its owner, globally-recognised record producer Robert ‘Mutt’ Lange.

“Guests can revel in this conservation hideaway and never see another soul on the property, apart from guides or staff,” said Fiona. “The beauty of Mahu Whenua is that, while it bears all the hallmarks of an extremely remote location, it’s only a 20-minute drive from Wanaka township.”

Guided onsite experiences include horse trekking, overnight stays at shepherds’ cottages around the station, heli-skiing, mountain biking, 4WD adventures, farm tours, picnics alongside pristine alpine rivers, backcountry touring and wellness experiences.

“Mahu Whenua is a truly unique lodge experience and we are thrilled to be able to open it up to single travelers and couples, while continuing to offer full buy-out, ‘exclusive-use’ bookings,” said Fiona.

*Opening rate is $1850 per Suite per night for up to two guests including all meals, in-house chef, concierge and staff. For further information go to: www.mahuwhenua.co.nz

Photo caption:

1/ Unsurpassed luxury and privacy with a picture-postcard view – a Homestead Suite at Mahu Whenua

Nathan Green triumphed in 2006 at Golf Harbour, while Peter O’Malley won in 1995 when he became the first person to win the New Zealand amateur, New Zealand PGA and New Zealand Open titles. New Zealand-based Aussie Peter Fowler, who won in 1993, is another of the successful players on the Seniors Tour to return to Queenstown.

For Long, it will be a return to his favourite golfing stop, as he eyes a return to fulltime life hopefully on the Seniors’ Tour in the next 18 months.

“I would speak for probably 100 per cent of the players, that Queenstown is the most beautiful, fun week we have on the Australasian Tour,” said Long.

He is looking forward to catching up with the US-based Waite, who is returning to the New Zealand Open after a six year hiatus on the back of his successful return to the game in the US Champions Tour, after turning 50.

Meanwhile Smail is competing early season before returning to the Japan Golf Tour where he has plied his trade with for two decades.

This outstanding Kiwi trio, with a collective 80 years experience on golfing tours in around the globe, have amassed more than NZ$20 million in prizemoney and 18 professional victories between them.

“We are delighted to welcome back our past champions, and most specially the three New Zealand former champions,” said ISPS Handa Tournament Director, Michael Glading. “Golf is a remarkable game and if players look after their health, then the advent of the successful Seniors Tours around the world has seen them continue to play at a high standard.

“Grant Waite had six years out of tournament golf and came back to nearly snatch the US Seniors Open title against a raft of household names in the game.

“Recently Australian Rod Pampling, a regular on this side of the Tasman, won on the PGA Tour at 47 years of age. So we expect this trio of former Kiwi champions to be very competitive.”

Long, who has been based in Western Australia for the last decade, enjoyed seven professional wins including two on the PGA’s Web.com Tour. He has continued to play on the Australasian Tour but now feels it is time to step back up to playing fulltime.

“After 2008 I took a step back and came back to support the Australasian Tour, and play part time,” said Long.

He has mixed life as a general manager of a golf facility with play mostly over the summer months with reasonable success, his last win coming just last year in the Victorian Open.

Three years ago he linked with coach Andy Mowatt who has sparked some positive change for Long.

“I feel I can start playing fulltime again with an eye to turning 50 and the Seniors Tour.  You only get one shot at this so why not.

“My time away from playing fulltime has given me a more balanced view to what I was doing. In doing so it freshened me up. Now I am looking forward to playing more golf again.”

He hopes to reunite with Waite, after playing together in the 1997 World Cup on the famed Kiawah Island Oceans course inUSA.

“I remember he missed one fairway in 72 holes on one of golf’s really tough courses. He is a hell of a player.

“If you keep yourself in good shape and are blessed with good health and still have the desire, then there’s no selector saying you are too old.”

The ISPS Handa New Zealand Open is a NZ$1 million Tier One event on the PGA Tour of Australasia, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour, to be played in Queenstown at Millbrook Resort and The Hills on 9-12 March.

Click here to visit ISPS Handa New Zealand Open’s website.

Photo caption (Photosport):

1/ Michael Long, one of 11 former champions to return for the 93rd ISPS Handa New Zealand Open

Conveniently located in the heart of Queenstown’s visitor, retail and business district, Crowne Plaza Queenstown combines the convenience of its downtown location with a peaceful nights’ sleep in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

It’s also renowned as the hotel of choice for conference and events bookings, the home of inspiring meetings in an inspirational setting.

Crowne Plaza Queenstown Sales and Marketing Manager Kylie Walker said the upgrades would keep the property “front of mind” for guests across the board.

“The new carpets and furniture are some of the first things people notice when they walk into the property, and reactions have been very positive,” she said.

Crowne Plaza Queenstown’s threesixty restaurant and bar on the ground floor are the perfect places to sit back, relax and enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or a good coffee.

On the first floor, new-look meeting rooms and spaces ensure the hotel continues to lead the way as the hotel of choice for the MICE market, offering rooms to the conference, incentive and meetings markets boasting high-end meeting technology and connectivity.

The upgrades include new carpets fitted in all conference and meeting rooms – including Crowne I, Crowne II, Crowne III, and the boardroom – as well as versatile pre and post-function area The Atrium.

“From mid-sized conferences to incentive groups and intimate meetings in the boardroom, we host a diverse range of events each year,” said Ms Walker.

“As market leaders we’re always looking at ways of improving our services and the quality of conference and events rooms and public spaces.”

The hotel’s four meeting rooms look out over breathtaking Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range, with floor-to-ceiling windows and balcony access married with black-out capability when views threaten to become too distracting.

Last year a new High Tea experience was also launched for the meetings, conventions and business events markets. The High Tea includes a selection of top-quality finger sandwiches, a variety of homemade scones served with whipped cream, butter and raspberry jam, and sweets such as red fruit macarons, a chai cheesecake and an orange crème brulée, all served on a three-tiered cake stand.

Click here to visit Crowne Plaza Queenstown’s website.

Photo caption:

1/ A smart new look and feel for award-winning threesixty restaurant at Crowne Plaza Queenstown

Arrowtown ‘local’ and Volunteers Manager Richard Hoskin said he’s had a great response so far with over 360 volunteers confirmed for the event.

“I’m thrilled with the army of volunteers and it’s down to the last handful of applicants to take on integral behind-the-scenes roles,” said Hoskin.

“It’s brilliant to see overseas volunteers being part of the mix, including a group of friends from Scotland, California, Australia and New Zealand who meet up annually to volunteer at the event.”

Some score receivers are required for recording and inputting ‘live’ results in the media room, seated amongst New Zealand’s top sports journalists, working closely with walker scorers on course.

“Attention to detail is imperative for the role, you really can’t miss a thing!”

Twenty volunteers are also needed as course marshals at The Hills on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 March to help manage the flow of the course. Roles include holding up the ‘quiet’ signs, green and cross walkers and directing spectators around the course.

A handful of shuttle drivers are required on Thursday and Friday to transport players and caddies to and from Millbrook Resort and The Hills, and between Queenstown and Arrowtown.

Volunteers only working the first two days of the tournament can use their complimentary passes to watch the final two days of golf at Millbrook Resort.

All volunteers will once again go into a draw to win a spot as an amateur player in the 2018 tournament (a prize worth over $10,000), and there are complimentary rounds of golf on offer too.

“A big thank you to those registered to volunteer, and we look forward to an enjoyable and fun tournament week,” said Hoskin.

More than 20 caddies are still needed for the tournament and Caddy Master Andrew Whiley is also keen to register 12 local golfers to be reserve caddies.

“Caddying for young professionals, the odd celebrity or amateur players is the perfect opportunity to get an insiders’ view of the New Zealand Open,” said Whiley.

“It’s also a great way to meet some interesting people from all around the world.

“Last year, seven out of 16 reserve caddies were used during the four-day tournament.”

Reserve caddies are required to be on hand during morning and afternoon starting times on Thursday and Friday to receive their complimentary tickets to the golf.

Unlike volunteers, caddies are paid for their work by their golfer, which can mean anything from $75 a day up to a nice bonus for good performance.

There is a $39 cost to register as a caddy, and all caddies will be given an ISPS Handa New Zealand Open golf shirt and hat to take home. There is no cost to register as a reserve caddy.

Prospective volunteers can register interest at http://www.nzopen.co.nz/volunteers.html or by contacting Richard Hoskin at [email protected].

Caddies should be social or serious golfers with a good level of fitness to carry a golf bag around both courses. Registration is easy by visiting http://www.nzopen.co.nz/caddies-signup.html

The ISPS Handa New Zealand Open is a NZ$1 million Tier One event on the PGA Tour of Australasia, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour. The 2017 event will be played in Queenstown at Millbrook Resort and The Hills on 9-12 March.

Click here to visit ISPS Handa New Zealand Open’s website.

Photo caption:

1/ Final call for volunteers and caddies to take part in next month’s ISPS Handa New Zealand Open in Queenstown