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Period piece on the Clive River

Clive River view from the boathouse

A riverfront villa that's perfect for groups: mess about in boats, bike to wineries or swan about historically.

On the banks of the Clive River sits a bay villa, in picturesque gardens with palms, a boat house and Cape Cod chairs at the water’s edge. One could easily believe the house has sat here graciously for a century, but looks deceive! Built in about 1915 as a doctor’s home in Napier, the house was moved to Clive in two pieces 20 years ago by current owner, Brent Pattison. Brent is a plumber by trade and a collector by nature. His father owned a museum devoted to jukeboxes and early colonial artifacts and all of his family have been collectors since they were young. The riverfront villa has been furnished from antique shops over time so that the interiors and fittings are all of a piece, with a 1920s Arts and Crafts feel. The period details extend even to the bathrooms, where the toilet has a pull-chain and large...

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Golf Courses around New Zealand

Photo: Cape Kidnappers

From world-famous, championship courses to quirky nine-holers, here's our pick of golf courses to head to on holiday.

With more golf courses per capita than any other country in the world, spectacular scenery, and conditions that allow year-round play, New Zealand is a bit of a golfer’s paradise, Godzone fairway perhaps. There are some very fine, world class golf courses, and some charmingly down-home, country cousins. We’ve listed some of the outstanding courses around the country, both ritzy championship courses attached to luxury lodges, and those diamonds in the rough tucked away in the countryside, where you might need to shoo the sheep off first. Whether you’re a pro or a first timer, you’ll find a course that will challenge and amaze you, with scenery to marvel at between shots. Lace up your fancy Royal Albatross spiked shoes or slip into your sneakers – go ahead! Note, aficionados may disagree with our list, but we’ve put “world class” next to those courses...

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MORE EVENTS
American Express Queenstown Winter Festival
Various venues around QueenstownFri, June 21, 2013 to Sun, June 30, 2013
Stomp
St James Theatre, 77-87 Courtenay Place, Wellington, then ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland and Tue, July 30, 2013 to Sun, August 11, 2013
Wicked - The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz.
The Civic, THE EDGE, Cnr Queen & Wellesley Sts, AucklandTue, September 17, 2013 to Tue, October 15, 2013
Tarnished Frocks and Divas 2013
ASB Arena, 81 Truman Lane, Mt MaunganuiWed, August 28, 2013 to Sat, August 31, 2013
Whitianga Scallop Festival 2013
Whitianga Marina Reserve, The Esplanade, WhitiangaSat, September 14, 2013
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MORE STORIES
Period piece on the Clive River

A riverfront villa that's perfect for groups: mess about in boats, bike to wineries or swan about historically.

Rotoroa - an island apart

Three stylish baches sit on Rotoroa Island in the Hauraki Gulf - a place to visit for its beaches and bush walks, its history and its artworks.

Historic Baches on Rangitoto Island

The youngest island in the Hauraki Gulf boasts some of its oldest baches - a glimpse of a holiday community from our past.

Mabels Cottage in Mangonui

A colonial cottage with views of Mill Bay - the perfect base for enjoying historic Mangonui

Coromandel Holiday Retreat

A great place to take the children or a group, this Coromandel retreat has a kauri sanctuary to explore, swimming holes for summer, and snooker, spa and fire for winter.

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MORE GUIDES
Golf Courses around New Zealand

From world-famous, championship courses to quirky nine-holers, here's our pick of golf courses to head to on holiday.

Napier City

NZ's oldest wine producing area

Waiheke Island

Take a 45 minute ferry ride from Auckland to discover the jewel of the Hauraki Gulf; white sandy beaches, fine wines, art and sea sports galore.

Romantic Getaways

What’s your idea of the perfect romantic escape? A rustic cottage, nestled in native bush, where you can luxuriate in an outdoor bath and listen to birds singing?

Raglan

Chillin' Raglan style is easy. Friendly vibe, great cafes, safe harbour swimming, or watch the surfers master the left-hand break.