Apple man wants to make NZ home

APPLE co-founder Steve Wozniak wants to make New Zealand his home, according to a United States report.

NBC reported Wozniak had applied for Australian citizenship but told the broadcaster he did not want to be an Aussie.

‘‘Instead he wants New Zealand.’’

He said he and his wife ‘‘simply love New Zealand’’, though they had no plans to drop their US citizenship.

NBC said Australia and New Zealand had few restrictions for

to

live

in residents living in each other’s countries, with New Zealand’s approach being ‘‘almost seamless’’.

Wozniak is reported to be worth about US$100 million (NZ$120m) and is currently chief scientist at Fusion-io, a Flash memory specialist with clients in the film and financial services industries.

Fusion-io chairman and chief executive David Flynn is in Wellington, where he has been meeting prospective clients, including Weta Digital. Wozniak originally hoped to accompany him on the trip.

Flynn said the report Wozniak might settle in New Zealand was news to him. ‘‘I’m sure at least living in the region makes it easier to get here,’’ he said, adding, diplomatically, that he did not want to inflame trans-Tasman rivalries.

Communications director Shannon McPhee said Wozniak had said he would have loved to live in Melbourne or Brisbane, but he liked cool temperatures. ‘‘So maybe this is the place for him.’’

Wozniak, 63, made local headlines in June when he paid a visit to Kim Dotcom, lending his support to the embattled internet entrepreneur.