New Zealand Women’s Golf Open to Return with Pathway for Māori Talent

AUCKLAND — Elite women’s golf is set for a historic return to Aotearoa next year as the New Zealand Women's Open resumes following a 10-year hiatus. According to RNZ, the tournament will be held at the Wainui Golf and Function Centre, north of Auckland, from 18-21 March 2027, featuring Olympic champion Dame Lydia Ko as the headline player. In a significant move for Indigenous representation in the sport, Golf New Zealand has confirmed that the 132-player field will specifically include the winner of the New Zealand Māori Golf Association Nationals Wāhine title. This inclusion ensures a visible pathway for top Māori talent to compete on a global stage alongside seasoned international professionals. Golf New Zealand CEO Jeff Latch stated that the event is designed to inspire the next generation, noting that for a young girl watching the competition, the experience could be the spark for a lifelong love of the game. Dame Lydia Ko, who won the tournament previously in 2013, 2015, and 2016, expressed her excitement about the event's return. Having grown up on the North Shore, Ko noted that competing in front of a home crowd is a special experience. The 2027 Open is co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and the WPGA Tour of Australasia, marking the first year of a four-year agreement supported by the government’s Major Events Fund and Auckland Council through to 2030. The tournament will feature a total prize purse of NZ$800,000 and will be broadcast to 94 international markets. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston highlighted that the broadcast coverage would reinforce the country's reputation as a world-class golfing destination while attracting visitors to see top-tier athletes like Ko compete on home soil.