Craigs Road to the New Zealand Open
Throughout the country, Craigs Investment Partners branches are involved in and run numerous Charity Golf Days each year. Craigs Road to the New Zealand Open was created to encourage more participation in these charitable golf days and help raise funds for charitable community causes.
The Craigs Road to the Open competition gave players competing in eligible Craigs sponsored regional golf events the chance to win one of two prizes:
- entry into the Pro-Am Division to play alongside a professional on the field (open to players with a handicap of 20 or less)
- a VIP guest experience
Both prizes include travel, accommodation, and hosting in the Champions Lounge. In February 2025 the two winners were announced.
Keen amateur golfer and Craigs client Rob Stewart-McDonald won the Pro-Am spot. “I’m super excited to win the prize,” says Rob. “Thanks to Craigs for making it happen. I’m looking forward to the whole experience.”
Bernie Hermann won the VIP experience. “It was so exciting to be named the winner,” says Bernie. “This is a fantastic initiative by Craigs that benefits clients and raises funds for local charities.”
Road to the New Zealand Open entry T&Cs here.
Craigs at the New Zealand Open 2025
This year Craigs Investment Partners and the New Zealand Open are working closely together to leverage golf for good and to raise money for well-deserving charities throughout the tournament. See below to find out how.
Craigs Birdies for Charity
This year every birdie made on every hole throughout the tournament will translate into real support for two remarkable charities — Cure Kids and the Acorn Foundation.
For every birdie scored across all four days of the tournament, Craigs Investment Partners will donate $10 into a charitable pool which will be equally shared between the two charities. With previous tournaments recording between 1,800 and 3,000 birdies, the potential for impact is huge.
This year, the initiative is even bigger with members of the public having the opportunity to get involved by making their own contributions to Craigs Birdies for Charity. There are two ways to donate:
- Text ‘Birdies’ to 2256 for an instant $3 donation
- Scan the QR code to donate an amount of choice via the Birdies for Charity Givealittle page.
“This is such a fantastic way to add extra excitement to the tournament. Every birdie made not only helps the players in their quest for the New Zealand Open title but also drives real support for two incredible charities.” says New Zealand Open Chairman, John Hart.
“Birdies for Charity is a win-win for everyone – players, fans, and most importantly, the charities we’re supporting,” says Jeremy Williamson, Head of Private Wealth and Markets for Craigs Investment Partners.
The Craigs Investment Partners Birdies for Charities initiative is a big part of the New Zealand Open’s increasing focus on giving back to communities and proving golf can be a powerful force for good.
See full Terms and Conditions here
Craigs Closest to the Pin
This year we are again inviting spectators to participate in a charity fundraiser taking place at Millbrook Resort across the final two days of the New Zealand Open.
The fundraiser will be held on the 9th hole, 12 – 4pm on Saturday 1 March and Sunday 2 March where spectators will have a shot at winning a daily cash prize of $3,000 by competing in Craigs Investment Partners Closest to the Pin competition, with all money raised going to the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust (LDART).
All those keen to have a go will make a donation to the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust in return for two attempts at hitting a golf ball closest to the pin, at a distance of around 125 metres.
It’s open to all amateur golfers and the person who records the Closest to the Pin shot during each day of the competition will take home $3,000 prize money from Craigs.
This year Craigs Investment Partners is also partnering with Canon Oceania to give participants the opportunity to try their new PowerShot GOLF laser rangefinder. In addition to the cash prize, the two winners will each receive a PowerShot GOLF proudly donated by Canon Oceania.
All donations generated from the competition go directly to LDART to benefit this important local need, so we hope to see as many people as possible dipping into their pockets and joining us for this ‘golf for good’ initiative,” Jeremy Williamson, Head of Private Wealth and Markets for Craigs Investment Partners says.
Craigs support amateur golfers
We are once again supporting New Zealand’s top amateur players with scholarship donations to the top three male and female players to help in their journeys on the world stage.
Cooper Moore, Josh Bai, and Robby Turnbull as well as this year’s Queen Sirikit Cup team, will all receive scholarship donations into their player trust accounts. These scholarships will assist with expenses such as travel, and coaching, easing the financial pressures typically faced by amateur golfers.
Golf New Zealand’s High-Performance Manager, Gregg Thorpe is thankful to Craigs for their ongoing support “Receiving an invite into the New Zealand Open or being selected to play for New Zealand at the Queen Sirikit Trophy are special milestones for our young players.
Both events provide a valuable opportunity for some of our very best amateur players to test and showcase their skills, and are important steps toward their ultimate goals,” said Thorpe.
Proud to support She Loves Golf
As major sponsor of the New Zealand Open, we are also excited to support the upcoming activation by She Loves Golf at Millbrook Resort on Saturday 1 March.
We are also looking forward to seeing lots of women join the week of golf events around International Women’s Day designed to encourage more women into the sport.