Hollywood Eyes Turn to Waiheke’s Cold War Sanctuary

One of Waiheke Island’s most storied properties has hit the open market for the first time in forty-five years, and it’s already capturing international attention.

The estate at 40 Rothschild Terrace, a near-five-hectare coastal holding with access to two private islands in Ōakura Bay, is being tipped as one of the island’s headline sales of 2025.

The property, once purchased by a member of the Rothschild family as a Cold War refuge, blends historical legacy with unrivalled scale. It is now being marketed by Caleb Paterson, director of Paterson Luxury, who confirmed interest from Hollywood names—protected by non-disclosure agreements—but said early signs point to serious intent from offshore buyers.

“Given the rarity of 40 Rothschild Terrace, encompassing nearly five hectares of waterfront land and ownership of private islands accessible at low tide, we anticipate strong activity from the very top end of the market,” Paterson said. “It’s a one-of-one estate—a statement property with every hallmark of a world-class sanctuary.”

Built in the late nineteenth century by the Dewitt family as a wedding gift, the kauri villa was transported to the bay by barge using hand-fired bricks from Auckland.

The home was later restored in 1981 by John Bollard, a NASA consultant, and his wife Eve, who established a two-hectare organic vineyard producing syrah, malbec and chardonnay. In 2014 the estate passed back to the Bollard family, who have maintained its heritage and privacy ever since.

Paterson said international demand for secure, self-contained properties has surged as geopolitical uncertainty grows. “We’re seeing renewed energy from high-net-worth buyers who value New Zealand’s isolation, safety and political stability. That sense of distance from global unrest has become a luxury in itself.”

Chris Jones, principal of New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Waiheke, said the island continues to attract global interest despite foreign-buyer hurdles.

“Approval through the Overseas Investment Office is still the key challenge, but these transactions do happen,” he said, noting the agency’s record Waiheke sale of more than NZ $23 million in 2021.

Tobias Roebuck-Ward of Waiheke Homes called 40 Rothschild “an icon” and a rarity in the current market. “It’s the kind of property that defines Waiheke—heritage, privacy, and absolute beauty.

You can be drinking eight-dollar rosé at the bowling club beside a knight or a celebrity, and everyone’s just part of the same community.”

With comparable listings already reaching eight-figure price tags, local agents expect the Rothschild Terrace estate to challenge existing records.

Whether the eventual buyer is from Auckland, Queenstown or Los Angeles, one thing is clear—Waiheke’s allure as New Zealand’s most desirable island sanctuary isn’t fading anytime soon.

This article was independently written and edited by Real Estate Today New Zealand. All information was drawn from public records, parliamentary proceedings and verified industry commentary. © Real Estate Today New Zealand 2025 – All Rights Reserved New Zealand’s most influential real-estate news platform for real estate professionals.