Government’s investment office seeking information about allegations against TV host which could question his fitness to own land in the country

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

New Zealand is considering the fitness of scandal-hit US Today host Matt Lauer to own a large farm in pristine Lakes country, a move which has been welcomed by the increasingly concerned local community.



The former NBC journalist purchased Hunter Valley Station in the lower South Island in February, after approval from the New Zealand overseas investment office (OIO).

OIO is now reaching out to Lauer for more information regarding his application, as the office requires foreign applicants “continue to be of good character”.

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The move comes after the host was fired from the Today show when a woman accused him of sexual misconduct.

Lisa Barrett, deputy chief executive of policy and overseas investment, said in a statement: “The Overseas Investment Office is aware that allegations have been made in relation to Matt Lauer and that he is no longer working for NBC News in the USA.

“We are discussing this with his representative and are seeking further information.

“There is a range of regulatory tools or actions we can take if we believe the Overseas Investment Rules have been broken. The OIO can seek orders that require people to dispose of property.”

Fiona Young from Jigsaw, a local women’s advocacy group, said the government should send a strong message to the women of New Zealand that men like Lauer would not be welcome in the country if accusations levelled at him are true.

“These are all allegations at the moment but we are talking about quite serious sexual harassment claims and repeated behaviours so that is obviously a concern for everyone to have someone like that coming here,” said Young.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Lake Hawea Photograph: World Heli Challenge/Getty Images

Queensland Lakes District Council deputy mayor Callum MacLeod said he was aware of the allegations against Lauer and he would be discussing them with the mayor and chief executive, and await an approach from the OIO.

“In terms of how that would affect the local community I am not 100% sure; there is good and bad in all communities,” said MacLeod.

Earlier this week the New Zealand government announced tighter restrictions for foreigners applying to purchase sensitive land through the OIO. It came after the governing Labour party criticised numerous land purchases by wealthy foreigners under the previous government, including billionaire and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, who owns Lake-front land an hour down the road from Lauer.

The government said the current OIO restrictions were “too loose” and foreigners would now have to provide further evidence that their purchase of land in the country would provide “genuine benefits”.

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“We want to make it clear that it is a privilege to own or control New Zealand’s sensitive assets, and this privilege must be earned,” said associate minister of finance, David Parker, when making the announcement.

Hamish Mackay owns the nearest corner shop to Lauer’s farm, on the shores of Lake Hawea. He said the powerful and elite did not have a “right” to own pristine slices of New Zealand, and their character and motivations needed to be scrutinised.

“He probably doesn’t reach the threshold [for good character]. If he is guilty of what has been alleged ... that is abominable behaviour,” said Mackay.

“I won’t be standing around his property with a picket saying get out, but if there is a legal avenue to explore, perhaps they [OIO] should seriously look at it.”

