Owner in dispute denies living at aquarium

The annual rent was $11,885, plus GST.

In February 2015, the port’s then property manager Toby May said it would not offer any rent reduction, but did offer to change the redevelopment clause from three months notice to 12.

Reuhman told the court he continued to have discussions about the lease with Port Marlborough, and the future development clause. ‘‘I was happy about the port’s promise. At the very least I knew I had 10 more years,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s not too late for the port to change its mind, and comply with its own stated values. I’m shocked by the port’s reluctance to do so.’’

In 2018, the port’s new property manager Ryan Lock told

Reuhman it was still not in a position to remove the development clause, given Port Marlborough were undertaking ‘‘strategy work’’ on the Picton ferry terminal.

Reuhman said throughout discussions on the ferry terminal redevelopment, he had always been under the impression it would not affect Ecoworld.

Port Marlborough’s lawyer David Friar questioned a ‘‘profile’’ from Reuhman published last year, which claimed he worked as a solicitor from 1981 to 1983. Reuhman graduated with a Bachelor of Law in 1979, but never practised as a lawyer, the court heard.

Friar also questioned how Reuhman acquired Ecoworld, claiming he only purchased the business for $1 in 2011, after it had been liquidated, and was in debt to a company Reuhman was a majority shareholder in. The company ultimately ended up being liquidated too.

Reuhman said he could not recall how much he paid in 2011.

Friar asked Reuhman if he ever accepted the offer from Port Marlborough in 2015 for a 10-year lease.

‘‘At no stage did you say that Ecoworld was happy with the proposal, correct?’’ Friar said.

Reuhman said he did not believe so. ‘‘I saw it as an offer. I didn’t accept, it would not have been prudent to accept without legal advice ... it was a work in progress,’’ he said.

Port Marlborough is directly owned by the Marlborough District Council through its company MDC Holdings Limited.

The hearing continues in the Blenheim High Court this week.