A golf course was not the surprise Bonnie Moir was expecting when her partner Ray Rahui phoned her on her birthday.
Rahui and Moir decided to move back to New Zealand to be closer to family after 28 years in Australia. After settling on Whanganui as the preferred location for their new home, Rahui came over from Australia to look for a house.
"We were originally looking along the east coast but we love the river, the beach and the town here," Rahui said.
"I had come over by myself and was driving to look at a house when I saw a for sale sign on the Tawhero golf course," Rahui said.
"It was the same real estate company I was dealing with about the house so I thought I'd give them a call. Then I rang Bonnie on her birthday and said 'I've bought a golf course'."