Hollywood actor Jason Momoa has purchased a sprawling luxury estate in Queenstown, New Zealand, formerly owned by the late actor Sir Sam Neill. The property reportedly sold for NZ$15 million (approximately AU$12.1 million).
Neill, who died in July at age 78 from pneumonia, owned several properties in New Zealand. The Queenstown estate, which spans 4.92 hectares, features a swimming pool and a jetty, set against a backdrop of hills.
This acquisition marks a significant investment for Momoa, who has expressed a deep affection for New Zealand. He has previously stated that he feels a strong connection to the country, having first visited Queenstown in his early twenties. Momoa has also voiced a desire to split his future film projects between New Zealand and his native Hawaii. His involvement in the entertainment industry in New Zealand extends to his co-ownership of Ariki Group, a company that purchased a film studio in West Auckland with the aim of supporting local talent and production.
Sam Neill, an actor with a career spanning over five decades and more than 100 film and television credits, had owned the Queenstown property prior to its transfer to his ex-wife, Noriko Watanabe, following their divorce in 2017. Neill also owned other notable properties, including his organic wine estate, Two Paddocks, in Alexandra, and a former home in Sydney's Double Bay, which he sold in 2020 for over $3.6 million.
Momoa's purchase comes at a time when the average home price in the Queenstown region has seen an increase, with reports indicating a 6.6 percent rise compared to the previous year.