Porirua is celebrating one of its own after former Aotea College student Daniel Hillier claimed the 105th New Zealand Open golf title.
Hillier, a 27-year-old Wellington golfer and old boy of Aotea College in Porirua, won the prestigious tournament on Sunday at Millbrook Resort in Arrowtown near Queenstown.
He finished the tournament at 22-under par, two shots clear of Australian Lucas Herbert to secure his first New Zealand Open title.
Mana MP Barbara Edmonds joined the celebrations, praising Hillier’s achievement and the pride it has brought to Porirua.
“A huge congratulations to Aotea College old boy Daniel Hillier who won the New Zealand Golf Open title,” Edmonds said in a statement. “We are all Porirua proud of you.”
Hillier entered the final round with a one-shot lead and held his composure through gusty and cool conditions at Millbrook Resort to clinch the victory.
The win comes just a week after Hillier married, making the title part of what he described as an unforgettable stretch of celebrations.
“Oh mate, that is the second-best day of my life, behind my wedding last week,” Hillier told Sky Sport after the final round.
“It’s a lot more stressful coming down the stretch there, but this has just been the absolute best week of my life.”
Hillier said lifting the trophy as a New Zealander made the moment even more meaningful.
“To break the Kiwi drought is pretty special and to do it in front of my family, all my friends, my wife… I’ve been dreaming this for a long time.”
The victory makes Hillier the first New Zealander since Michael Hendry in 2017 to win the national open. He also takes home prize money of $360,000.
New Zealand golfer Kerry Mountcastle finished tied for third alongside Japan’s Tomoyo Ikemura on 17-under, while Herbert finished runner-up at 20-under.
Hillier’s success has sparked pride among supporters in Porirua, where his connection to Aotea College continues to resonate with students, teachers and the wider community.