But the 60-year-old Canadian says he did not need to.
''I've known [former owner] David Haslingden for about 20 years. We did business together when we created and launched National Geographic Canada back in the day, and I've been a fan of NHNZ since the early 1990s and I've been following its work and admiring it for a long, long time.
''For a Canadian, I'm relatively familiar with New Zealand. I've been coming to New Zealand, producing television shows here on and off since the late 1980s, so I've had a long and happy experience in New Zealand.
''We have a long and current, wonderful bunch of friendships here and business experiences in New Zealand.
''So when the opportunity came to buy NHNZ, 'Yes' was the answer.''
Mr MacMillan's colleagues visited the Dunedin facility before the purchase, but yesterday was the first time he had seen the site. He was pleased with his acquisition.
''It's fantastic. What a marvellous group of people - which I already knew.
''It's a super facility, tailor-made for the business of creating television programmes and it really works well.''
As such, he has no plans to change its operations.
''NHNZ is a great company, we're huge fans. That's why we're happy to acquire it and have it be part of Blue Ant.''
Included in the purchase are production houses NHNZ, Beach House Pictures, Northern Pictures, international children's nature broadcaster ZooMoo Networks, and mobile game developer and publisher Runaway Play.
Blue Ant Media is an international content producer, distributor and channel operator, with production houses around the world.
It offers a catalogue of more than 2300 hours of content, including the largest 4K natural history offering on the market.
Its international channel business offers a portfolio of media brands such as Smithsonian Channel Canada, BBC Earth (Canada), Love Nature (International), Choice TV (New Zealand) and HGTV (New Zealand).
Under the deal, Mr Haslingden has became a significant shareholder and member of Blue Ant Media's board of directors.
