Actor Jason Momoa has acquired a luxury estate in Queenstown, New Zealand, for NZ$15 million. The sprawling property was previously owned by the late actor Sam Neill, who passed away in July.
The NZ$15 million Queenstown Estate
The property purchased by Jason Momoa is a 4.92-hectare lifestyle estate located in the scenic region of Queenstown. according to the report, the grounds feature high-end amenities including a swimming pool and a private jetty, making it a prime piece of New Zealand real estate.
This acquisition represents a significant financial commitment to the region. The property's history is intertwined with the personal life of Sam Neill,as it was previously owned by Neill's ex-wife, Noriko Watanabe, who received the asset following their divorce in 2017.
From Two Paddocks to a July Passing
The estate's former owner, Sam Neill, had a long-standing connection to the New Zealand landscape. While the Queenstown property was a notable asset, Neill primarily resided at Two Paddocks, an organic wine estate in Alexandra that he established in 1993.
The transition of the property comes shortly after the death of Sam Neill in July. As reported, Neill died from pneumonia after a prolonged struggle with a type of blood cancer, despite having recently shared that he was cancer-free. His family described the loss as "sudden and unexpected" in a public statement.
Ariki Group and the West Auckland Studio
Jason Momoa's purchase of the Queenstown estate appears to be part of a broader strategic move to integrate his professional life with New Zealand. The actor has expressed a long-term desire to divide his future creative projects between his native Hawaii and New Zealand, a country he first visited in his early 20s .
This is not Momoa's first foray into the New Zealand business sector. through his company, the Ariki Group, Jason Momoa has already acquired a film studio in West Auckland. By combining a residential anchor in Queenstown with industrial infrastructure in Auckland, Momoa is positioning himself to support and potentially expand the local film industry.
The Role of Noriko Watanabe in the Sale
Despite the details of the purchase price, certain specifics regarding the transaction remain unclear.. Because the property was held by Noriko Watanabe after the 2017 divorce, it is not explicitly confirmed whether the sale was executed by Watanabe herself or through the legal estate of Sam Neill.
Furthermore, the report does not specify the exact timeline of the closing or if there are additionnal conditions attached to the transfer of the 4.92-hectare plot . While the financial figure of NZ$15 million is clear,the precise legal path from the Neill-Watanabe era to the Ariki Group's orbit remains an open question.
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