What airports should I plan to fly in and out of?

Flights will be scheduled in and out of Auckland Airport. Please note, The Churchmans have booked their departure on December 31, 2024 to arrive on January 2, 2025 (missing New Years Day!), as you cross the International Date Line. The Bests would need to depart on January 6, 2025 to arrive on January 8, 2025.

Upon arrival to Auckland, you will be greeted after customs and assisted to the Park Hyatt Auckland.

Please contact the Concierge Team if we can be of assistance with arranging alternative airport transportation or assist with booking flights. Garmany Golf is partnered with Air New Zealand and have a dedicated booking agent that can arrange all your flights on Air New Zealand.

What will the weather be like during our stay?

A typical day in January  is similar to a late Spring / early Summer Day in New York, with an average of 7 hours of sunshine and always prepare for any light showers for most of the country. The more north, the warmer it is, historically. The upper North Island and through Auckland, the average temperature is in the low to mid 70’s F.  In the Central part of the country, you’re looking at High 60’s to low 70’s and a little cooler as you head south, including Queenstown, averaging low to mid 60’s F in the day. There might be a few cooler mornings if you’re on the South Island, but typically the day warms up as it progresses, then back to cooler evenings, as low as 45 F. Our Recommendation: basically prepare for anything as island weather tends to be unpredictable however you are slated to travel during the ‘driest’ month.

What currencies are used in New Zealand?

The currency utilized in New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). The New Zealand Dollar is currently trading at .60 USD to 1.00 NZD (10/24/24).

Will I be able to get cash and use credit cards while in New Zealand?

You will find that most major credit cards and debits cards are nearly universally accepted in New Zealand. The same is true of Travelers checks, which should be in New Zealand Dollars to avoid extra exchange rate charges. ATMs are ubiquitous throughout New Zealand so you will have easy access to cash. It should be noted that American Express is not as widely accepted in New Zealand as Visa and MasterCard.

How much cash should I bring?

We recommend bringing minimal US dollars, i.e. $75-100, with you and then accessing the local ATM’s upon arriving in New Zealand. The ATM’s will dispense the local currency and your bank will automatically calculate the exchange rate. Your own bank will typically provide the most favorable exchange rate available to you.

How many meals are included?

A full breakfast will be served every morning.

While staying at the Kauri Cliffs, Pre-Dinner Drink Reception and Dinners are included, in addition of complimentary mini bar in-room.

Any other meals is listed in itinerary, such as the Half Day Wine Tour includes Lunch on Jan 17.

The GG Concierge Team can assist with making any reservations and recommendations for the group for additional meals not included in the Experience.

What is the cancellation policy for this Experience?

All deposits and final payments are non-refundable. However, we highly recommend purchasing a travel insurance program through Travel Guard and we will be happy to provide a quote or you can browse below

Can I upgrade my accommodations? 

Absolutely! If you were interested in upgrading to more space or a better view at any of the properties, please advise your concierge.

What if I want to play additional and optional golf?

There are plenty of noteworthy courses around the areas you’ll be staying at in New Zealand! If any Guest wants to play additional golf, even at the spur of the moment, your GG Concierge or Driver Concierge can arrange optional golf for you. Optional golf can be arranged well in advance of your departure as well. Please consult the GG Concierge Team for golf options.

Can I play 36 holes a day if I want to?

Absolutely! Please let a member of our Concierge Team know and we will be happy to set up additional tee times for you.

Can I arrange to ship my golf clubs to New Zealand?

Yes! We partner with Ship Sticks, the leaders in golf club shipping, and can arrange for your golf clubs to be shipped directly to Kauri Cliffs to await your arrival and home after your last round in Queenstown. This is a great option to help ease the hassle of traveling and better yet, to prevent the terrible misfortune of missing or the delayed arrival of your golf clubs due to the airlines. 

Please contact the Garmany Golf Concierge Team at Experience@garmanygolf.com if we can be of any assistance to you.

DETAILS

• This Experience is priced in U.S. Dollars.
  
• This Experience is priced at the exchange rate of $0.60 USD to $1.00 NZD.
  
• Due to the volatile nature of the exchange rate, any increase exceeding 2% of this rate on the date of payments using the rates shown on www.oanda.com will result in a corresponding adjustment in price, which will be applied to all payments.
  
• All Ground Transportation with respect to airport arrivals and departures, roundtrip golf transfers, and scheduled touring, are included. Additional charges may be incurred for airport transfers that occur from any other airport and/or departures requiring additional ground transportation services will incur supplementary charges depending upon the additional services required. Additional charges may be incurred for any airport transfers that occur on other arrival or departure days.
  
• Domestic Flights with Economy Seating are included:
  • Jan 4 – AKL to Wellington
  • Jan 8 – Wharekauhau to Wellington Airport
    • Helicopter EC130 6 Seater
  • Jan 8 – Wellington to AKL
  • Jan 15 – KKE to NPE
  • Jan 22 – TUO to ZQN
  • Jan 26 – ZQN to AKL
• Included Touring, Tours or Activities as noted in itinerary includes:
  • Jan 5- Wharekauhau Farm Tour
  • Jan 6 – Soil Barrel Cellar Wine Tour
  • Jan 17 – Wine Tasting with Lunch
  • Jan 21 – Taupo Lake Cruise, Exclusive
  • Jan 23 – Milford Heli, Shared
• A Full Breakfast is included each morning.
  
• Golfers: Caddies and/or Buggies (motorized carts) may be arranged at the request of the Guest, provided such services are available.
  
• Golfers: Buggies / Carts are not available at Te Arai Links, it is designed as a walking course. If you have a medical certificate that states you cannot play a round without the use of a motorized cart with the reason stated, we can inquire of any accommodations.
• Golfers: All caddie fees and gratuities, rental fees and cart fees are the responsibility of the Guest, unless advertised otherwise.
  
• Golfers: A current handicap certificate from a bona-fide golf club may be required for all Guests who are playing golf during the Experience. Play could be denied if a valid handicap is not presented.
  
• If planning to ship your clubs, we recommend ShipSticks and you are welcome to schedule your shipment and print labels through our ShipSticks Website. We recommend shipping to Kauri Cliffs prior to your first round and shipping home from Queenstown after your final round, due to ample storage space and 24 hour staffing. We are happy to help schedule!

TRAVEL GUARD, TRAVEL INSURANCE

Garmany Golf strongly recommends for your protection that you take out insurance to cover you in case of forced cancellation, loss or damage of luggage, personal injury, accident, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances, none of which Garmany Golf can be liable for.

Garmany Golf is a licensed representative of Travel Guard, the recognized leader of travel insurance options. A Garmany Golf Concierge will be happy to provide a quotation or you are welcome to explore a quote below.

CANCELLATIONS AND CHANGES

Once tee times and accommodations have been booked and confirmed, and the requisite deposits have been placed, there are no refunds of any deposits or final payments made by Guests or the representative club.

Garmany Golf strongly recommends travel insurance to protect any Guest against any unforeseen circumstances that may cause a Guest or club to cancel participation in any Experience.

ADDITIONAL AND OPTIONAL BOOKINGS, AND PAYMENTS

At the request of a Guest, a Garmany Golf Concierge will be happy to book any non golfing tour, activity or additional round of golf before or during the Experience. Please be aware that an administrative or booking fee may be added to any such booking. In the event of such a fee, the Guest will be notified in advance of the fee and have the opportunity to decline the booking confirmation.

All Guests agree to provide a valid credit card in advance of the Experience that may be used for payment for any additional tour, activity or additional (non included) round of golf booked during the Experience for the Guest.

RESPONSIBILITY 

Garmany Golf, as the tour operator, and its selling agents, act only as agents in securing and booking the hotel accommodations and other land tour services provided by others as independent contractors. Garmany Golf, its selling agents or the specified air carriers assume and accept no liability for injury, loss, damage, accident, delay, changes or inconvenience caused by: any force majeure – health risks – reason of war or threat of war – riots – civil strife – terrorist activity – industrial disputes – acts, omission, neglect, delay or default of any person engaged in providing any tour services including transportation and accommodation – technical problems to transport – closure or congestion of airports or ports – building work – extended hotel closure – cancellations or changes of schedules by airlines – interruption or failure of public utilities outside the control of the hotel and  similar events beyond our control, including storms, tempests and hurricanes.

Garmany Golf is not liable for loss, damage or theft of luggage or personal belongings, for personal injury, accident or illness on any vehicle or at any place throughout the tour. Garmany Golf reserves the right to cancel an Experience if circumstances so require. In the event of such, Garmany Golf will make a full refund to travelers of all payments received in respect of the Experience. Such a refund of payments will be the full extent of Garmany Golf’s obligation and liability to travelers. Garmany Golf is not responsible or liable for any property damage caused by a Guest. The Guest assumes all responsibility for incidental charges, damages and any necessary replacements needed that may have been caused by the Guest’s visit.