WELLINGTON, Sept. 16 -- NZPA/ AsiaNet
For use September 17, 2004.
New Zealand?s most exclusive fishing and hunting ranch, Poronui Station, is
being marketed for sale internationally for $US40 million.
Nestled in a secluded mountain valley half an hour from Lake Taupo in the
central North Island, Poronui extends over 16,000 acres (almost 7000 hectares).
A working ranch with beef cattle and deer, the station also has established
forestry plantations, including an ancient 6000-acre (2400 hectare) beech
forest.
For most of the past 37 years Poronui has been held in overseas ownership.
Current owner is American banker and avid fisherman Mark Blake together with
his brother Todd and sister Wendy.
Famous for its two outstanding fly fishing rivers and its 10lb trophy trout,
Poronui is popular with world leaders, Hollywood actors and sporting and rock
stars.
Blake is selling Poronui to continue his focus in New Zealand on producing
world class wines in the wine producing region of the Hawke?s Bay where he has
two vineyards.
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Selection of quality colour news photos can be accessed from:
www.poronuistation.com/media
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Gordon Chesterman
Chesterman Consulting Group
Telephone+ 64 21 922927.
Email: [email protected]
OWNER?S REPRESENTATIVE
Andrew Johnson
Telephone+ 64 7 384 2004
Mobile+ 64 21 775930
Email: [email protected]
SALES INQUIRIES
John Goddard
Colliers International - New Zealand Sales Director
Telephone+ 64 21 947 566.
Email: [email protected]
MEDIA BACKGROUNDER
New Zealand?s most exclusive fishing and hunting ranch on market for $US40
million.
Two world-class fly fishing rivers, the Taharua and Mohaka Rivers, flow through
Poronui Station.
The Mohaka River, a tumbling freestone stream, wraps itself around the
mountainous southern boundary, separating the station from vast estates of
National Park and Maori land.
The Mohaka and Taharua provide 25 miles (40 kilometres) of superb fishing where
trophy trout weighing upwards of 10 lbs (4.5kgs) thrive in the conditions.
Fishermen, however, have to be satisfied with photographs of their prized
trophy trout as a strict catch and release policy is currently observed by
Poronui?s owners.
As a result of sound environmental management and low angling pressure, Poronui
has enjoyed a reputation for an impressive and robust trout fishery.
Trout were first introduced in 1878 when brown trout from England were brought
to New Zealand and released into the headwaters of the Taharua River.
Rainbow trout eggs arrived in 1883 from the Russian River Hatchery in
California and released.
But fishing is predominantly for brown trout.
The first release of Sika deer occurred when six animals gifted by British
Duke, the Duke of Bedford, were liberated at Poronui in the early 1900?s.
Together with Red Stags, the Sika deer have thrived, consistently presenting
fine trophies.
The station also has an abundance of wild ducks, quail and pheasants.
The Blakes, who live in San Francisco for most of the year with their families,
have embraced sound environmental practices, not only with the trout fishery
but also with the entire farming operations.
Blakes? careful stewardship of the land has cemented Poronui Station?s
reputation as an extraordinary wildlife habitat in one of the world?s most
pristine, natural environments.
For Mark Blake, balancing commercial realities with environmental issues has
been crucial to minimise the pressures on the station?s natural resources.
"By limiting guest numbers and being strict about our catch and release policy
means there will always be trout in the waterways," he says.
Angling pressures, for example, are constantly monitored and controlled to
maintain the health and confidence of the trout.
Blake says he has been impressed and influenced by the attitude of New
Zealand's indigenous Maori people to caring for the land.
"This is about stewardship to ensure the property remains intact for future
generations. I know what I am leaving behind is in much better shape than when
I first discovered Poronui. This will be the future challenge for any new
owner," he says.
Putting Poronui on the market has been an emotional wrench for Blake. He had
been coming to Poronui for over a decade to fish for trout and was hooked on
the lifestyle it offered.
"I kept coming back to fish each year, bringing more and more friends and
family with me. Then I started thinking about buying a property of my own."
So when Poronui came on the market in 1998, as Blake says, he "cast his line
and landed it." His dream of buying "something small" with family members was
quickly discarded in favour of "big, breathtaking and bountiful."
Since then, the Blakes have taken what was essentially a rustic fishing and
hunting camp and with a multi million dollar investment turned it into a world
class fishing and hunting lodge, together with the farming operation.
Waiting for the family of a new owner is a magnificent five-bedroom,
five-bathroom private residence, situated on a plateau overlooking the Taharua
River valley. Designed by one of New Zealand?s leading architects, John Blair
of Queenstown, it was built four years ago.
The house contains two expansive entertainment areas, an office with broadband
internet access, library, cigar room and a five-car garage. The station's
natural environment has been reflected in the building's design and materials,
using ancient hardwood beams, smooth river rocks and heated slate floors.
Overlooking the Taharua River, the homestead is just a few minutes walk from
Blake?s favourite fishing spot.
Fishermen are accommodated in an exclusive lodge catering for just 14 guests, a
15-minute drive from the owner?s residence. During the peak fishing months from
November to March the lodge is usually booked out in advance.
Should guests want a change from catching giant trout, there is a separate and
dedicated entertainment centre with a gym, health club including steam and
sauna rooms, massage treatment studio, cigar room and a billiard room with a
full-size antique English billiard table. The centre comes with its own outdoor
barbecue area and a horse riding stable.
Hidden beneath the centre is a world class underground wine cellar storing up
to 10,000 bottles. A computerised cellar system keeps track of the collection
while controlling the cellar?s temperature. The wine cellar is a focal point
for entertaining, wine tastings and dinner parties around a mammoth 22-seat
English oak table.
If that?s not enough, nearby is a modern Olympic level clay shooting course
located in a steep wooded valley. This has multiple shooting stations and an
automated 20-trap layout that simulates upland game birds and waterfowl.
The decision to sell has not been easy for Blake and his family.
"I still hope to fish the haunting waters of Poronui for the rest of my life,
but as a client and not an owner."
Family reasons are dictating the sale.
With the sale of Poronui, Blake will continue his focus in New Zealand
producing world class wines in the Hawkes Bay where he has two vineyards.
Meanwhile the company marketing Poronui, Colliers International, has a
worldwide campaign underway.
Its New Zealand sales director, John Goddard, says Poronui is featuring in
magazines targeting high net worth individuals in the United States, Australia,
Asia, Europe as well as New Zealand.
More than 6000 information kits comprising a DVD promoting the property and a
comprehensive 40 page, colour brochure, are being mailed to potential
purchasers around the world.
Information on the sale has been given to the New Zealand Government's Cabinet
Ministers responsible for Conservation, Land and Tourism.
Any new overseas owner will be required to seek approval to purchase through
the Overseas Investment Commission.
Goddard expects a high level of interest for Poronui. "In the global context
high net worth individuals are increasingly recognising the value that the
privacy and seclusion that properties like Poronui offer. When the rest of the
world is caught up with the threat of long-term terrorism, Poronui will give
someone their 'heaven on earth'," he says.
NOTE TO EDITORS
A selection of quality photos are available and can be accessed from:
www.poronuistation.com/media
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Gordon Chesterman
Chesterman Consulting Group
Telephone+ 64 21 922927
Email: [email protected]
OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE:
Andrew Johnson
+64 7 384 2004
+64 21 775 930
Email: [email protected]
SALES INQUIRIES:
John Goddard
Colliers International ? New Zealand Sales Director
Telephone+ 64 21 947 566
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE: Poronui Station
--Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--
--InfoQuest (PP)--