This par 71 looks nice, but is not as spectacular as the other New Zealand’s courses mentioned in the general info (Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, etc.), but it has a few challenging holes with a couple of small greens and a few tough (but playable) pin placements near the edges.
On the front 9, I like the pretty right dogleg par-4 2nd hole, with an approach shot over a creek on the right side and a bunker in front of the small green (on the right), the straight par-3 6th, with a flag very close to the narrowest part of the green, and the par-5 8th hole, with the lake on the right side and a few bunkers in front of the green, on the left side.
The back 9 starts very nicely with the par-3 10th hole, with a tee shot over a very wide lake, and is followed by the par-4 11th, with its meandering path cutting across the fairway midway and its elevated green, and the sharp left dogleg par-4 12th hole, with an unusual tee shot over a small bridge, a big bunker and a couple of trees around the corner and water, to the right, as you approach the green.
Then you will reach one of my favorite holes, the sharp dogleg to the right par-4 13th, with trees around the right corner and a second shot over a small meandering river (hopefully) landing on the small green, surrounded by trees and with a tough flag placement.
Finally, you will have some eagle opportunities on the nice right dogleg par-5 15th and 17th holes, where you will need to hit two shots over small meandering rivers in order to reach the green and test your putting skills.
Well-designed by White Tiger, with nice but sparse plantings, the Lakes Resort Pauanui 2008 course is fun to play but don’t expect breathtaking views around the ocean and rollercoaster fairway as you will be playing inland all the way !

Nice hole layout.