Waahi Taakaro

Waahi Taakaro Golf Club - Maori for "place of recreation" - opened in the Maitai Valley in May 1977, initially with just seven holes because of drainage problems on the hillside; the ninth was only added after a bridge across the Maitai River opened in 1994. Members did much of the early groundwork themselves, clearing gorse, picking up stones and planting trees, and the club grew from 120 members before opening to over 300 with a waiting list by 1979. Tui, kereru and kingfisher are regulars along the tree-lined, river-threaded course, which still runs the Maitai Masters tournament launched in 1981.