Earlier this year, Peppers bought Parehua Martinborough and Awaroa Lodge, and the Carrington acquisition brings its New Zealand portfolio to seven spread across the North and South islands.
A first Fijian Peppers opens later this year.
Heritage Hotels acquired the management contract just two years ago but has declined to comment on why it has withdrawn from the business so soon.
Carrington Resort Ltd continues to own and manage the property, while using the Peppers brand, marketing and distribution services.
Wealthy American Paul Kelly spent an estimated $40 million developing the resort with conference and event facilities, golf course and adjacent vineyard and "cellar door" KariKari Estate over several years - and he is remaining the chairman of the board.
The resort borders the white sands of Karikari beach, faces north to Mt Camel in the distance, and includes wetlands, native bush, vineyards, olive groves, tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course designed by renowned US golf course designer Matt Dye, heated swimming pool, skeet shooting range, spa pool, billiard room, library and restaurant.
There are 10 lodge rooms and 14 three-bedroom villas. Each lodge room opens on to a wide veranda with views to the ocean, golf course or native bush and vineyard, while the two-storey villas offer a central wood burning fireplace, verandas overlooking the golf course and ocean, and a fully-equipped kitchen. There are three helipads on the property.
Carrington opened in 2003 and the vineyard a year later, with the first vintage (red wine) being served at the resort's official opening in 2004. The property is now Qualmark 4 star rated and has achieved the Qualmark Environmental Gold status.
Carrington Resort and Karikari Estate Winery have become popular wedding locations. Wedding banquets are held in the Barrel Hall at the winery.
The winery has won a series of awards for its wines; chardonnay, pinotage and syrah are among the most popular sellers.
Mantra CEO Bob East describes Carrington as a "superb, quality product", while Kelly says alignment with Peppers will build Carrington's already-established reputation as a premier golfing resort and lift its profile in both countries.
Peppers began as a group of small boutique retreats and now includes luxury holiday resorts and the beginnings of a network of metropolitan-based apartment hotels. Australian properties include Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat in Daylesford, Peppers Craigieburn Bowral, Peppers Salt Resort in Kingscliff and Peppers Beach Club & Spa Palm Cove. The brand's first metropolitan property, Peppers Broadbeach, bought in 2010, has been so successful more CBD acquisitions are planned for later this year.
