BooYaa Golf expands to New Zealand as Van Zyl Meyer brings the brand's energy to Kiwi fairways

Van Zyl Meyer, Director and Partner of BooYaa Golf New Zealand.

BooYaa Golf, South Africa's premier lifestyle golf apparel brand known for its bold personality and celebration of the game, is officially expanding its footprint into New Zealand.

Leading the launch is Van Zyl Meyer, Director and Partner of BooYaa Golf New Zealand, who is bringing the brand’s distinctive spirit of community, energy, and celebration to one of the world’s most passionate golfing nations.

For Meyer, the move into BooYaa was not simply a business decision. It was the culmination of a lifelong entrepreneurial instinct combined with a deep love for the game of golf.

“While my professional career has been in technology and network engineering, entrepreneurship has always been close to my heart,” says Meyer. “My father had his own business and growing up, I saw firsthand the impact he had on people through the work he did. Even today, I still think about the lives he helped and the relationships he built. That left a lasting impression on me.”

Meyer spent much of his career working in the technology sector, developing expertise in network engineering, systems design and leadership. But the desire to build something meaningful of his own never left him.

“Technology gave me a strong foundation in problem-solving and leadership. But I have always had the desire to build something myself. BooYaa allows me to combine that entrepreneurial drive with my love for golf and community.”

Having moved from South Africa to New Zealand in 2013, Meyer quickly recognised the similarities between the two countries’ sporting cultures.

“New Zealand is incredibly diverse and welcoming and, in many ways, it feels very familiar to someone coming from South Africa. Sport plays a big role in both cultures. Growing up watching the rivalries between the Springboks and the All Blacks created a deep respect between the two countries.”

That shared passion for sport and the decision to introduce BooYaa to the New Zealand golf community felt like a natural next step.

“Golf culture here is incredibly strong,” Meyer explains. “New Zealand has the third-highest number of golf courses per capita in the world, which shows how deeply the game is embedded in the lifestyle. It is social, welcoming, and played by people of all ages. BooYaa fits naturally into that environment because the brand is about celebrating the game and the people who play it.”

At its core, Meyer believes BooYaa represents something bigger than apparel.

“The BooYaa mindset is about celebrating life’s moments. It is the feeling when someone hits a great shot, when a round suddenly turns around with one perfect chip, or when friends are simply enjoying time together on the course. Golf creates those moments constantly.”

The brand’s expansion into New Zealand is also deeply personal for Meyer.

“My children are a big part of why I want to build something meaningful, especially my son, who has autism,” he says. “As a parent, you naturally think about the future and the opportunities your children will have. I hope that over time, BooYaa can contribute to initiatives that support families and individuals affected by autism.”

From the South African side, BooYaa’s founders see the New Zealand launch as an exciting milestone for the growing brand.

“Seeing BooYaa expand internationally is incredibly exciting for us,” says Ruan Lotz, co-founder of BooYaa Golf in South Africa. “Van Zyl understands the spirit of the brand and shares the same passion for golf, community and bringing people together. New Zealand has an amazing golf culture, and we believe BooYaa will feel right at home there.”

Looking ahead, Meyer’s vision is clear.

“My goal is to grow BooYaa into a brand that golfers across New Zealand recognise and connect with. If BooYaa can bring people together, support meaningful causes and add a little more celebration to the game of golf, then we will have achieved something special.”

Because in the end, BooYaa has always been about one simple idea: celebrating living golf.