Hollywood is circling this Waiheke estate but a 'surprise' group is taking interest

Hollywood is circling a historic multimillion-dollar estate on Waiheke Island.

The 4.95-hectare coastal property at 40 Rothschild Tce, Oakura Bay, includes two private islands, 1.7km of coastline and a boutique organic vineyard. It was once owned by the Rothschild family as a Cold War refuge.

Caleb Paterson of Paterson Luxury, the listing agent, has confirmed there is interest from Hollywood but has signed Non-Disclosure Agreements and can’t say who is keen.

What he can say is the interested parties from Tinseltown were given a heads-up about the estate from movie stars who are filming in the country.

But Paterson said they face tough competition for the property from a group which has “definitely surprised” him.

“It's been a positive response from the market so far. The big surprise has been the sheer volume of local families that have engaged,” says Paterson.

“I was thinking we’d get one or two but we are getting up around 10 families already engaging locally.”

He added the legacy aspect is provoking the most interest.

“Offering that much waterfront, with the private islands, with an almost potential blank canvas to add their own touch to it, has been the big draw card.”

Originally developed in the late 1800s, the kauri villa was built by the Dewitt family and later acquired by philanthropists Maurine and Robert F. Rothschild. During Cold War tensions, the Rothschilds viewed Waiheke as one of the world’s most secure and remote locations.

Restored in the 1980s by the late John Bollard — a Nasa associate and New Zealand honorary consul — the estate features a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired workshop and vineyards that produce grapes for award-winning wines.

The site includes consented potential for a legacy home, reinstatement of a historic jetty, and possible development into a boutique lodge.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” says Paterson. “Whoever secures it will be taking on the custodianship of one of the country’s most remarkable coastal properties.”

The listing will be promoted globally across high-end property channels targeting overseas investors and expat New Zealanders. It marks the second time the estate has been on the open market in 45 years.

The property has a CV of $6.4 million which is not reflective of the expected selling price.