Heading to the NZ Open? Why Renting a Car Is Your Best Shot
The 2025 New Zealand Open at Millbrook: who won, how it was decided, the history behind the tournament, and how to plan for the next one.
This post covers the 2025 New Zealand Open. For the next tournament, read The NZ Open: Golf, Mountains and the Ultimate Queenstown Weekend.
The 104th New Zealand Open was played at Millbrook Resort near Arrowtown from Thursday 27 February to Sunday 2 March 2025. It was sanctioned jointly by the Asian Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia, it ran as a pro am alongside the championship as it always does, and it was decided by a single shot.
If you are planning a trip for a future Open, Millbrook is 20 minutes from Queenstown, and a car from Evolve Rentals is still the simplest way to do the week: at the gates early, Arrowtown for dinner, and the rest of the district on the days in between.
Who won the 2025 New Zealand Open?
Ryan Peake of Australia, at 23 under par, by a single shot. Jack Thompson, Kazuki Higa and Ian Snyman finished tied for second, which tells you how tight the Sunday was. Peake was the first left handed winner since Sir Bob Charles in 1973.
The win was worth a lot more than the trophy. It earned him a place in the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush that July, and Asian Tour membership through to the end of 2027.
The best of the New Zealanders was Daniel Hillier, who closed with a 66 to finish 17 under. Remember the name. He came back to Millbrook in 2026 and won it.
How far back does the New Zealand Open go?
To 1907, at Napier Golf Club, where an amateur, Arthur Duncan, won the first one by seven shots. Since then the roll of honour has read like a history of golf in this part of the world. Peter Thomson won it nine times and Kel Nagle seven.
Bob Charles won it four times, the first as an amateur in 1954, and went on to become the only New Zealander to win a major championship in the 20th century. Michael Campbell won the New Zealand Open in 2000 and the US Open five years later.
The tournament has called Arrowtown home since 2007, first at The Hills and, from 2014, at Millbrook as well. That is how a national championship came to be played in a valley this pretty.
Why is a car still your best shot for the NZ Open?
Because the golf is only half of Open week. Millbrook has parking and shuttles on the day, and a public bus runs between Queenstown and Arrowtown. What a car gives you is the rest of it: an early start for the gates, your own clubs with you for a round of your own, and the freedom to finish the day wherever you like.
Arrowtown is a few minutes from Millbrook, and our Arrowtown guide has where to eat and what to see once play is done. If watching makes you want to play, our guide to golf in Queenstown has the courses worth booking.
When is the next New Zealand Open?
The 106th New Zealand Open is at Millbrook from 25 to 28 February 2027. Our guide to the next Open has how the pro am works, getting there and what else to do that week, and the official New Zealand Open site has the latest from the organisers.
We bring the car to you, which nobody else in Queenstown does, or you can collect from us at 153b Glenda Drive in Frankton, near the airport. So when February comes round again, book your car with Evolve Rentals and aim for the fairway.
FAQs
Who won the 2025 New Zealand Open?
Ryan Peake of Australia, at 23 under par, one shot ahead of Jack Thompson, Kazuki Higa and Ian Snyman. The win earned him a place in the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Where was the 2025 New Zealand Open held?
At Millbrook Resort near Arrowtown, about 20 minutes from Queenstown, from 27 February to 2 March 2025.
When was the first New Zealand Open?
In 1907 at Napier Golf Club. It was won by an amateur, Arthur Duncan.
Who has won the New Zealand Open the most times?
Peter Thomson, with nine wins. Kel Nagle won it seven times and Sir Bob Charles four.
When is the next New Zealand Open?
The 106th New Zealand Open is at Millbrook Resort from 25 to 28 February 2027.