My understanding is the trees were, uh, Kauri trees. Protected and there was some sort of issue IIRC with the resort's removal of a few of them. Their tees (as in pegs on which you put your ball) were made of "surplus."
Regarding the weather, on one of my rounds there two playing companions were in a buggy. On the first hole the wind blew the buggy off the left side of the fairway! Bit of a hogback. On that same hole the wind was blowing so hard the rain bouncing off my jacket sounded like popcorn popping -- until I realized it was sleet!
At that point the sleet converted to rain and my khaki trousers got drenched. I rued my "smart" packing job which let the rainjacket in the luggage but kept the trousers out.
My companions called over to me from just a few yards away. They were downwind. I wasn't even aware they were calling me but their gyrations caught my eye so I walked over. They thought they might head in for a little while -- after we finished the hole. Hearty lot, Kiwis. Most Yanks wouldn't have left the clubhouse bar -- it's a nice bar, too!
As we finish up on the 1st, miraculously the sleet / rain stopped. One of my companions, the CEO of Air New Zealand and an inveterate booster of NZ, smiled and called out, "Ah, the sunny North." For you nonlocals, this is common tourist-bureau phraseology. It's sort of been bored into the brains of Kiwis. "The Sunny North."
The wind however continued its remorseless attack. A sou'wester, come straight up from Antarctica, bore down on the resort.
From the 2nd tee, we continued on, soaked trousers and all. We played the 2nd, and as I walked off the green I looked down to notice my khakis. They were bone dry. Granted, it was a par 5, but still....
And though the wind never ceased, the sun did come out and I even felt so warm I removed my jacket! For a hole at least.
The following day the wind picked up, if that's possible. The radio was filled with reports of stranded skiers on the South Island and the ferries not running through Cook Strait due to 5 meter swells. I think the ferries not running the Strait is the equivalent of snow canceling school in Buffalo. It doesn't happen.
Sometimes I think I was "given" that round to bear witness. It's true: NZ really does have four seasons in a day. Will Rogers, Oklahomans: you are lying weather wimps. New Zealand is the place for "weather."
Amazingly, the country has no equivalent of The Weather Channel.