The NZOCT was established in 2025, Inspired by the philanthropic traditions of major golf tournaments worldwide to create a charitable arm to complement the Queenstown tournament held earlier this month. Its core purposes include championing involvement in the game, regionally and across New Zealand, and supporting the community and environment in the region that hosts the event.
The tournament connected NZOCT with a wide range of major event sponsors and partners engaged in fundraising activations including Craigs Investment Partners, Gallagher Insurance, Amisfield, Canyon Brewing and others which they were able to support in a range of ways to ensure maximum visibility.
NZOCT chair Brian Cadzow says not only was the tournament financially successful for the NZOCT but it was “very rewarding” to meet people at the event and educate them about the charity’s goals and ambitions.
The NZOCT’s exposure began last month when it ran the Journey To The Open, designed to inspire and reward emerging young golfers. The charity funded an amateur spot and sixteen-year-old winner Cayden Vlok-Ede from Cromwell was thrilled to play in the official pro-am, calling it the “best experience of my life”.
“Of course I wanted to make the cut, but I got to play in the Hills event and won a Callaway 3 wood I needed. How good is that,” he says.
His parents Scott and Joanne say they were proud to see Cayden learning, growing and soaking up every moment. “Opportunities like this shape young people in ways that go far beyond sport itself and we appreciate the opportunity,” they said.
The Craigs Investment Partners Birdies for Charity and Long Putt together raised close to $30,000 for the NZOCT and activations from Canyon Brewing and Amisfield will also provide income from donations via GIV2 QR codes and sales activities.
The Lakes District Air Rescue Trust (LDART) was fundraising for equipment to fit out a new rescue helicopter. With $7,000 raised by the Long Putt the NZOCT has topped that up to $23,000 to ensure that goal is now met.
Wanaka and Queenstown Search and Rescue, two of the busiest SAR bases in the country, will also receive $15,000 each towards funding new equipment at both bases.
Both groups are enormously grateful to the NZOCT for this help to acquire much needed equipment, according to Wanaka Chairperson Raewyn Calhaem. “The funds will go towards acquisition of a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV), giving us a regional search and rescue capability unique in New Zealand and the Trust’s contribution towards the cost is hugely appreciated,” she says.
Craigs Investment Partners has long been a supporter of Cure Kids and the NZOCT is delighted to provide 50% of the money raised from Birdies for Charity to Cure Kids. Cure Kids, the largest funder of child health research outside government, will receive $11,000. Cure Kids CEO Frances Soutter says they are “incredibly grateful” for the wonderful result that will directly support research into child health issues.
In partnership with Gallagher Insurance, Millbrook Resort hosted the Kiwi Art Trail during the tournament, showcasing 17 uniquely decorated Kiwi artworks each designed and painted by talented artists from across the country. One Kiwi painted by NZOCT trustee Sandi Young raised $51,500 for the NZOCT.
Trustee and New Zealand Open chairman John Hart says this year’s tournament has put the NZOCT on the right path to achieve its goals of making meaningful donations to charities, projects and sport in the region.
“We are delighted to be building a sizable endowment fund supplemented by annual income from New Zealand Open activities,” he says.
Brian Cadzow says other fundraising efforts from key supporters of the New Zealand Open are encouraging. “The NZOCT already has committed contributions from donors, excluding funds raised each year at the tournament, of a further $500,000 over the next four years,” he says.
“We invite applications for funding for other regional initiatives, and we’ll be considering additional grants over the remainder of 2026.”
For more information on the New Zealand Open Charitable Trust please visit nzopen.com/charity
