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 golf days and help raise funds for charitable community causes.
The Craigs Road to the Open competition gives players competing in eligible 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. It’s the best view of New Zealand premiere golfing event in front of or behind the ropes.
In 2025 Rob Stewart-McDonald won and had the experience of a lifetime making it through to Saturdays play. The draw for the 2026 New Zealand Open will soon be announced.
Road to the New Zealand Open 2026 entry T&Cs here.
Craigs at the New Zealand Open 2026
This year Craigs Investment Partners and the New Zealand Open will again work 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
Birdies for Charity will again encourage generosity around the greens amongst players and spectators. Craigs will again donate $10 to a pool for every birdie recorded by professionals and amateurs on both courses across all four days of play. Spectators are encouraged to part take by scanning the Birdies QR code at the event or in the SKY broadcast and making a donation to support the New Zealand Open Charitable Trust and Cure Kids.
In 2025, a huge total of 2,416 birdies were scored, which together with public donations raised $26,000 the was shared between two charities — Cure Kids and the Acorn Foundation.
“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.
Craigs Long Putt Challenge
Spectators at the New Zealand Open can put their golfing skills to the test for the chance to win a daily prize of $1,000 and a Canon PowerShot GOLF Range Finder, kindly donated by Canon Oceania . The competition is open to the public on Thursday – Sunday at the Tee Junction activation zone by making a donation to support Lakes District Air Rescue Trust. The public action in 2025 saw $5,000 being raised for local charity Lakes District Air Rescue Trust (LDART) on the Saturday and Sunday of the tournament.
Proud to support She Loves Golf
Craigs is an Official Partner of She Loves Golf, Golf New Zealand’s national initiative encouraging more women to give golf a go. In 2025, Craigs supported She Loves Golf activations at both the New Zealand Open and International Women’s Day, helping to increase visibility and participation and in 2026 we are proudly supporting the activations again aligning with Craigs’ commitment to empowering women through its Craigs Women’s Wealth programme and creating even more opportunities for women to connect through golf nationwide.
Since 2007, Craigs Women’s Wealth has empowered Kiwi women with the tools, education, and confidence to take control of their financial futures. Supporting She Loves Golf builds on this commitment to enhancing women’s wellbeing, participation, and success.
Craigs support amateur golfers
New Zealand’s top top three amateur male and female players have once again received scholarship donations from Craigs 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.