Noel Edmonds buys properties near Nelson
Drawn by the region’s ‘‘positive energy’’, British television entertainer Noel Edmonds has bought ‘‘at least three’’ properties near Nelson.
Two are located in Ngātı¯moti, a small rural settlement on the banks of the Motueka River, about 40 kilometres west of Nelson.
Jennifer Dunbar, who co-owned Dunbar Estates with her husband John for just over years, confirmed that the Ngātı¯moti property was one of Edmonds’ new acquisitions.
The 6.5 hectare site includes a vineyard, cellar door and a cafe´. A homes.co.nz estimate put the property’s value at $1.44 million.
Dunbar had met Edmonds twice ahead of last week’s handover.
‘‘He loves [the property] and wants to make a community hub. He’s very positive about it. I think he stayed around here and he loves the Ngātı¯moti area.’’
Another local resident said Edmonds was ‘‘very excited’’ about the community, adding that the presenter and his wife had bought ‘‘at least three’’ properties in the region.
Stuff understands Edmonds has also bought Edenhouse in Ngātı¯moti, a luxury lodge valued at a little over $3m.
Another resident said locals were wondering what Edmonds’ intentions were in Ngātı¯moti.
‘‘Understandably some locals are feeling a little inquisitive and slightly anxious as to why one person would buy up so much property in a very short time.’’
Via email, Edmonds said he and his wife had been drawn south by the ‘‘positive energy of Nelson and Tasman’’.
‘‘We appreciate that we still have a lot to learn about life in the Nelson area but judging by the reaction of those we’ve already met in Motueka and Ngātı¯moti we’re confident our new friends and neighbours will be very supportive.’’
He did not answer questions about his intentions for the properties, or confirm how many he had bought.
Edmonds was one of the biggest names in British broadcasting, and his television show Noel’s House Party was screened here in the 1990s.
After visiting New Zealand in 2016, the couple gained residency in early 2020 under the Investor1 category which required $10 million of investment over three years. They settled north of Auckland.
Last year, the Edmonds registered five companies between them, including a conservation trust, a media group and a motor company.
During the 2020 lockdown, Edmonds set up an ad-free online radio network called Positivity Radio New Zealand, part of his Positivity Radio network. The network includes stations like Wellness, Calm, Sleepy, and Positively Plants, music designed to help plants grow.
However, the network’s New Zealand website no longer appears to be active.