Access row labelled ‘political interference’
Disgraced former United States TV host Matt Lauer can keep his high country station – but officials are still scrutinising a dispute over access rights to the Otago farm.
The Overseas Investment Office said yesterday that while allegations of sexual misconduct were ‘‘troubling’’, it had insufficient evidence to take proceedings against the American.
He bought the Hunter Valley Station on the shores of Lake Hawea last year for $13 million – and because it is ‘‘sensitive land’’ he had to pass a good character test.
The OIO opened an investigation into Lauer once the allegations became public to ensure he still met the character test.
Land Information NZ – which oversees the OIO – was also informed of concerns about access to Hunter Valley Station.
And last year Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage asked it to examine local concerns about access to the Kidds Bush conservation reserve. Local trampers had complained a road into Terence Valley had been blocked off.
Linz group manager for land and property John Hook said Hunter Valley Station was a working farm, which was impacted by public access. ‘‘Linz has been informed of concerns about access to Hunter Valley Station.
‘‘Linz has been advised that steps have been taken to change signage that could have given the impression that access was limited ... The legalisation of the road to Kidds Bush was an action that had to be taken by Queenstown Lakes District Council ... this is progressing,’’ he said.
‘‘Linz officials have recently met with the New Zealand Walking Access Commission and Department of Conservation to explore options for increasing walking access to Hunter Valley Station.’’
A source close to Lauer said there had been no complaints since the TV presenter took over the lease, suggested the ongoing row was ‘‘pure political interference’’ and said hundreds of walkers had enjoyed access in the past year.
‘‘They [walkers] just need to check in with the farm – the access goes right past their house so it is not difficult.’’
The Walking Access Commission confirmed there was no ‘‘formal access dispute’’ at the moment.
But in a report to its board in March, the commission noted: ‘‘Since the sale of the Hunter Valley Station public access has been restricted over even local roads.
‘‘The board expressed its concern about the actions of the Hunter Valley Station leaseholders and their sublessees and reiterated its wish for managed public access.’’
Lauer’s Orange Lakes (NZ) Ltd company was granted consent in 2017 to acquire the lease for Hunter Valley Station, which stretches some 40 kilometres to the Southern Alps. The Crown remains the owner of the land.
As part of the OIO consent process, the company consulted with local groups keen to get greater public access to the epic Otago landscape. The OIO imposed consent conditions that supported that improved access. Access to the Hunter Valley and the Lake Hawea conservation reserve was in dispute before Lauer and wife Annette purchased the working farm.
Locals had hoped for a breakthrough when he bought the land.
As foreign buyers, they needed OIO approval – and officials set some conditions.
‘‘The consent holder has demonstrated its willingness to facilitate, as leaseholder, public access to several important sites on or around the land,’’ the OIO noted in its February 2017 decision to allow the purchase.
But since the sale went through, locals said that hadn’t happened – and said access to a public road which leads into the valley’s Terrace Creek has been blocked off.
Lauer also promised to invest just shy of $2 million over five years to improve the farm and boost stock numbers.
The station was on the market for five years before the Lauers’ bid.
A keen fisherman, Lauer gushed about New Zealand after a holiday here. He told Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon: ‘‘It’s the most sensational country on the planet.
‘‘It’s beautiful.’’ But months later he was fired over allegations about his behaviour at NBC.
‘‘Since the sale of the Hunter Valley Station public access has been restricted over even local roads. The board expressed its concern about the actions of the Hunter Valley Station leaseholders and their sublessees and reiterated its wish for managed public access.’’ NZ Walking Access Commission