Millbrook Resort celebrated its 20th anniversary on Wednesday, an achievement founder Eiichi Ishii said he was ''immensely proud'' of.
Now employing about 250 staff, the golf and lifestyle resort is the largest in the South Island and has contributed extensively to the local economy over the years.
It is still privately owned by Mr Ishii, his wife Hiroko and their son, managing director Gota Ishii.
The trio, along with Gota Ishii's wife Miki and their daughter Milly, are at the resort to join in the festivities celebrating the milestone.
''Over 20 years ago our family's vision was to create a nice place for nice people, a place where everyone could come and enjoy the wonderful lifestyle and surrounding scenery,'' Mr Ishii sen said.
''Staying true to the land's history was important from the outset, and we're thrilled to have created an award-winning luxury golf resort while maintaining the beauty of the natural environment.
''Our coming of age cements Millbrook's position as a trusted golf and lifestyle resort that's stood the test of time.''
A special event to celebrate the birthday will be held today at Millbrook's Clubhouse and attended by the Ishii family, Country Club members and other guests.
When the resort first opened in 1993, boasting an 18-hole golf course designed by Sir Bob Charles, there was no health and fitness centre, swimming pool or spa. The golf shop was housed in what is now the Hole in One bar and accommodation was in a few hotel villas.
The resort now has 147 hotel rooms, multimillion-dollar homes and neighbourhood ''clusters'' bordering the new 27-hole golf course, with the original course reconfigured and an additional nine holes created several years ago by Turner McPherson Golf Design.
It also has a purpose-built driving range, restaurants and spaces to cater for the growing weddings, conference and incentive markets as well as its own real estate company, Millbrook Realty Ltd, to cater for sales and resales.
Millbrook property and development manager Ben O'Malley said it was a wonderful achievement to celebrate two decades in business, through boom times and worldwide economic crises.
''The Ishiis' vision and investment into the golf course, its development and facilities was a bold yet strategic move to place Millbrook and Central Otago as a world-class golfing destination in Australasia,'' Mr O'Malley said.
In the early years Millbrook pioneered that type of development in New Zealand and the endeavour was not without its doubters.
Twenty years on, the Ishii's decision to invest had been vindicated, he said.
''New Zealand, and particularly Queenstown, has a lifestyle appeal that is growing significantly in both international and national property markets.''
Mr O'Malley believed the future of Millbrook was bright, with plans to increase its membership base and to expand the resort to the west, with more neighbourhoods to be developed over the next 10 years.
''While our history as Millbrook Resort spans an impressive 20 years, our heritage dates back even further, to the 1860s when Frenchman Peter Butel set about planting the now towering trees that adorn the property and constructed his farmyard with stone crofts in a quadrangle that is traditional in Europe.
''Millbrook really has been 150 years in the making and is an iconic property known throughout the world.''
