Council to ‘test’ buying Pegasus golf course from housing developer after community outcry

Tuesday, 2 June 2026

Hundreds attended a meeting at Pegasus Bay School on Tuesday night, over a property developer’s plans to build houses on the town’s golf course.

A council bid to save the Pegasus Golf Course could be on the cards, with Waimakariri District Council saying it will investigate making an offer for the site to the new owners.

More than 400 people packed into a public meeting at Pegasus Bay School hall on Tuesday evening, which brought together residents, cricket legend Sir Richard Hadlee, Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon, councillors and local members of parliament to voice and share their concerns and fears about a proposed development.

Mayor of Waimakariri Dan Gordon revealed the council’s next move during a packed public meeting in Pegasus town.

Christchurch-based development company Wolfbrook confirmed last month it had purchased the 18-hole, 77-hectare course with the intention of rezoning for housing.

In one of the night's biggest announcements, Gordon revealed that the council had agreed to explore the idea of buying the golf course.

Aerial view of the Pegasus course and clubhouse.

'We have agreed to test whether purchasing the golf course for the benefit of the community could be possible with other partners,' Gordon said, prompting applause from attendees.

'We've got the support of the council today to explore this, to see if we can protect this asset for the community and safeguard it for its future.'

Gordon also issued a public call for individuals or organisations interested in partnering with the council to help fund a purchase proposal.

Attendees including Pegasus resident and Kiwi cricket legend Sir Richard Hadlee listened to what speakers had to say at the public meeting.

The announcement was met with strong interest from residents, many of whom see the golf course as central to the identity of Pegasus.

“We know the high value of the amenity of the park-like setting of Pegasus.

It was standing room only inside the Pegasus Bay School hall, with others unable to get into the packed meeting.

“Those features aren't just nice to have, they are central to the identity of Pegasus,” Gordon said.

Confirmation — via a local MP — that Wolbrook intends to pursue a fast-track process for development of the site also dominated thoughts. Waimakariri-based Labour List MP Dan Rosewarne revealed before the meeting that he had been advised of the company's intentions.

President of the Pegasus Residents Group Inc Matt James described the issue as something that “will shape the future of Pegasus for generations.”

Gordon strongly criticised the potential use of fast-track for the project.

“Fast track should not be used to override … the views of communities which are fed into those plans.”

A concerned resident at the Pegasus Community meeting on Tuesday evening.

Residents also voiced concerns a fast-track application could limit public scrutiny and reduce opportunities for community input into decisions about the site’s future.

President of the Pegasus Residents Group Inc (PRGI) Matt James described the issue as something that “will shape the future of Pegasus for generations.”

The golf course was a defining feature of the town and part of the vision many residents had bought into when they chose to live in Pegasus, James said.

The room was packed as Pegasus residents gathered to discuss a property developer’s purchase of the town’s golf course.

“Those who bought into Pegasus will remember the promises at the time. Live where you play. We all bought into that journey and we want to see that maintained.”

James said the impacts of any development would extend beyond Pegasus, affecting neighbouring communities and regional infrastructure.

He added his concerns about a potential fast-track route.

“Wolfbrook actually has declared today they are going to use fast-track, so it's not an if, it's they are going to use fast track.”

James told the meeting he and a small group with residents would meet the developers next week to raise their concerns.

Attendees were urged to remain engaged in the process, with James highlighting the strength of community support shown through a petition that attracted more than 5,300 signatures in less than 72 hours.

“Wolfbrook didn't think the community cared. We proved them wrong,” he said.