Residential sections in the eastern part of the Waimakariri District are currently asking around $550 per square metre. However, those sections that are on the market are already zoned residential and have the necessary infrastructure available. Effectively, they have titles and are ready to be built on now. Pegasus, as a residential project, is a long way from that point.
Many local residents spoken to by the Herald are hopeful that the golf course can remain.
“They’re gonna make a lot of money out of it. That’s their only interest. I don’t think they’re interested in the community, the members and Pegasus in general,” New Zealand cricketing great and long-time Pegasus resident Sir Richard Hadlee said this week.
Inside the former home of Sir Richard Hadlee overlooking Pegasus Golf Course. Hadlee’s home was the first to be built at the course. Photo / Supplied
Hadlee is part of the Pegasus Residents’ Group. Its opposition to Wolfbrook’s plan gained an important advocate this week, with Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey adding his voice to the residents’ fight.
Doocey is the Minister for Mental Health and the Associate Health Minister and had been leading a delegation in Australia when the news came through about Wolfbrook’s intentions. He says he was surprised at the move.
“I have made the decision not to support Wolfbrook’s proposal,” said Doocey in a statement listing three main points.
“The Pegasus Golf Club has economic significance to not only Pegasus but also to the wider Waimakariri district. The golf course should be invested in to be a destination for both domestic and international golfing tourism.
“Waimakariri welcomes housing development, but it should be in the right places. Most people I’ve spoken to accept that housing affordability is an issue, so we do need to open up land to build more houses, but I do believe we already do this well in the district.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey. Photo / RNZ
“The Pegasus golf course is unique to the character of the town. Whether you play golf or not, the golf course is pivotal to the identity of Pegasus. I believe building houses on the golf course will significantly negatively impact Pegasus town and is counter to the intent of development in the district that builds on Waimakariri’s strengths.”
Whilst Doocey won’t support Wolfbrook’s plans, Wolfbrook is a supporter of Doocey’s party, donating $40,250 to National just last month.
A fast-track application is being considered to extend the State Highway 1 Christchurch Northern Corridor between Belfast and Pegasus. The application was submitted by New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi in December.
There is concern among Pegasus residents that Wolfbrook will attempt to use the fast-track act to apply for rezoning of the golf course.
Wolfbrook Property Group CEO Guy Randall declined to comment.
Meanwhile, an unsuccessful bidder for the course has come forward to say that they have concerns about the tender process for the golf course – which had been placed in liquidation.
The Vining Group describe themselves as New Zealand’s largest distributor of golf equipment, and say they previously owned and operated a golf complex in Palmerston North for approximately 20 years.
“After the official deadline for submissions had passed and offers had already been lodged, parties who had submitted bids were reportedly approached and asked to reconsider or revise their offers and terms.
“In any commercial process, particularly one involving a significant community asset, there is an expectation of fairness, transparency and equal treatment for all parties. It is difficult not to question whether the process was conducted in a genuinely fair and equitable manner.
Lydia Ko tees off the 10th during the ISPS Handa New Zealand Woman’s Golf Open, Pegasus Golf Course in 2012. Photo / Photosport
They’d hoped to continue operating Pegasus as a golf club.
“We were prepared to have the course operational again within weeks of settlement. This is significant because one of the key public narratives following the sale has been that Pegasus was no longer financially viable as a golf course.
“From our perspective and based on our own operational experience within the golf industry, that is not necessarily accurate,” read Vining Group’s statement.
The Pegasus Residents Group will hold a public meeting on June 2 at Pegasus School Hall. The meeting had initially been scheduled for another venue, but the residents’ group says demand meant a bigger space was required.
Mike Thorpe is a senior multimedia journalist for the Herald, based in Christchurch. He has been a broadcast journalist across television and radio for 20 years and joined the Herald in August 2024.