The 4.92‑hectare plot in Dalefield sits like a hidden gem behind Queenstown’s skyline. It was once home to the late Sir Sam Neill before passing to his ex‑wife. Momoa, who has been circling Central Otago for months, snatched the property for a jaw‑dropping NZ$15 million—$3.5 million above its assessed value. The purchase marks the second‑most expensive residential sale in the district this year.
Over the past three years, average prices in the Queenstown‑Lakes area have leapt by more than NZ$300,000, now hovering near NZ$2.2 million. Limited land, soaring overseas demand, and visa tweaks are the main fuel. Mark Harris of Sotheby’s International Realty says the draw is privacy plus raw beauty, not just a tax escape. The region’s rugged mountains and empty skies keep the price tags high.
Momoa’s love for New Zealand runs deeper than a home; he co‑founded Āriki Group with Taika Waititi and Cliff Curtis and just closed on Studio West in West Auckland. He’s told the Herald that the Kiwi ethos of respect for story and land fuels his creative ambitions. “I want to build something lasting that supports local crews and nurtures the next generation,” he says. His move is a nod to the country’s film legacy and a signal to Hollywood that New Zealand is still a prime playground.
Beyond real estate, the actor has a stake in Queenstown’s nightlife at Upstairs at The Bunker, where he’s spun decks and jammed with locals. Real‑estate insiders say the hills around Dalefield make celebrity deals almost invisible. The sale sits just below Speargrass Flat’s Mooney Road lodge, which fetched NZ$16.5 million. Momoa’s presence in the town is already turning the village into a magnet for film buffs and buzz‑hungry fans.