From surf towns on the West Coast to vineyard-dotted valleys in the South Island, New Zealand has long attracted the kind of visitors who can go anywhere – and keep coming back.
New Zealand has a habit of exceeding expectations. It’s a long way to go – but the people who make the trip, whether for work, a break or a property search, tend to find reasons to return. Some of the world’s most recognisable names have done exactly that – and a handful have liked it so much they’ve bought a piece of it.
Whether you’re drawn to the idea of rubbing shoulders with Hollywood royalty or simply want to understand why so many high-profile people keep returning, here’s a look at the New Zealand locations that have caught the A-list eye.
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Central Northland
With Auckland on its doorstep, a subtropical climate and a coastline that goes on seemingly forever, Central Northland ticks a lot of boxes. The Bay of Islands, Whangarei, the Kauri Coast and the Far North together make up one of the most varied stretches of New Zealand’s upper reaches – and local estate agents are famously tight-lipped about their more well-known clients.
That said, rumours persist. US musician Neil Young, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and model Rachel Hunter have all been linked to property purchases in the region, as has actress Susan Sarandon. Whether or not you spot anyone famous, the landscape speaks for itself: white-sand beaches, ancient kauri forests and a pace of life that feels genuinely unhurried.
Waiheke Island
A 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, Waiheke Island manages to feel like a world apart. It’s known for its vineyards, olive groves and independent restaurants – but it’s also quietly earned a reputation as a post-tour refuge for musicians and actors who’ve just finished a run of dates in the city.
Over the years, names including Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Eva Longoria and Charlie Sheen have all been reported to have spent time on the island – most often during or after Auckland tour dates. The island doesn’t make a fuss about any of this, which is precisely why it keeps attracting people with the means to go anywhere. If you’re looking for somewhere with genuine character – and the possibility of a surprisingly good glass of local rosé – Waiheke delivers.
Raglan
Raglan is one of those places that looks exactly as you’d imagine it: weatherboard cafés, a long left-hand break rolling in off the Tasman Sea, and a community that has been built around outdoor life for generations. It’s home to one of the world’s longest surf breaks, which has made it a natural draw for musicians who also happen to surf.
Jack Johnson and Ben Harper – both well-known for their time in the water as much as on stage – are regular visitors. Even Metallica are rumoured to have made an appearance, which says something about Raglan’s ability to welcome just about anyone without breaking its stride.
Wairarapa
Director James Cameron has never been shy about his affection for New Zealand. He owns an organic farm in Wairarapa – the rural region two hours east of Wellington – and has spoken publicly about his respect for Māori values and the Kiwi approach to land and community. Given that Wellington has long been the centre of New Zealand’s film industry (the locals call it Wellywood), the area has a certain creative logic to it.
Cameron’s presence has brought attention to a region that was already quietly impressive – rolling farmland, boutique wineries and a slower pace that stands in deliberate contrast to the capital just over the Remutaka Range.
Wanaka
Wanaka sits at the edge of a glacial lake surrounded by the Southern Alps, and it has a way of making even well-travelled people stop and stare. Shania Twain was one of the first high-profile names to put the area on the international map, purchasing a 61,000-acre ranch near the town where she farmed Merino sheep. She later sold the property, but not before helping establish Wanaka’s reputation as a place where serious money comes to breathe.
The area also drew Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling when they filmed the Disney production A Wrinkle in Time near Lake Hawea. Reese Witherspoon was particularly vocal about her time in the South Island, sharing images of the region’s wineries and yoga retreats to her considerable following. It’s the kind of endorsement money can’t buy – and Wanaka’s property market has taken note.
Why wealthy buyers are looking beyond celebrity connections
The celebrity appeal tells one story. But the more significant trend in New Zealand property has been the arrival of tech investors and high-net-worth buyers from the United States, drawn by the country’s political stability, low population density and – according to some – its value as a contingency plan in an uncertain world.
PayPal co-founder and tech investor Peter Thiel is among the most prominent examples, having acquired property in both Wanaka and the Bay of Islands. Queenstown and Wanaka in particular have seen sustained interest from buyers commissioning self-sufficient, high-land builds – a pattern that has driven both prices and design standards upward in those markets.
For anyone considering New Zealand as a place to buy, the takeaway is straightforward: this is a country that attracts people with options, and they tend to choose it more than once.
