Former American TV show host Matt Lauer will hold on to his Lake Hawea high country station after the Overseas Investment Office decided there was not enough evidence to show he breached good conduct conditions for foreign purchasers of New Zealand land.
Sexual misconduct allegations were made against Lauer, a former US Today anchor, in November last year, after he bought the 6468ha farm on the northern shores of Lake Hawea.
He was fired from the show and the OIO took a closer look at his application in terms of whether there was a breach of the condition of good character.
As part of the condition of consent, Mr Lauer is required to remain of good character in regards to his fitness to continue to hold the asset.
A statement from the OIO released today said it was immediately notified by Mr Lauer’s New Zealand representative of the matter following the allegations being made.
“After investigating the matter and taking legal advice, we have reached the position that we have insufficient evidence at this time to take proceedings against Mr Lauer for breach of the condition,” says LINZ Deputy Chief Executive Policy and Overseas Investment Lisa Barrett.
“However, the OIO will continue to actively monitor the matter should further information come to light. In addition, the OIO has made it clear to Mr Lauer of his continuing obligation to remain of good character as a condition of his OIO consent.”
In the course of its inquiries, the OIO considered the allegations raised and whether there had been any criminal conduct.
It considered and tested confidential information supplied by both Mr Lauer and his former employer (NBC), and took legal advice.
“In order to take any enforcement proceedings for a breach of the good character condition, the OIO needs to consider the nature of the allegation, what evidence there is about the allegation and the seriousness of the matter.
"The types of things we would need to consider are whether the person has been found guilty of an offence.
“Mr Lauer has not been charged with any offence, nor convicted, and the evidence available to the OIO at this time does not establish that Mr Lauer is unfit to continue to hold the asset.
"However in reaching this position we do not condone the inappropriate way that Mr Lauer has behaved,” Ms Barrett said.
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Comments
I hope all good strong "Southern Men & Women" give Mr Lauer a good strong handshake and hearty pat on the back next time they bump into him ...
Just show the man some of our southern hospitality and give him your best wishes at being able to get away with it ... this time ...
Do we need such a type of person in NZ? His old company- "NBC News on November 29, 2017, the Company received information about three additional women, who each alleged that Lauer had engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace with them in 2000, 2001 and 2007, respectively.”
OIO, I trust will reverse its decision once (if) he is convicted. If it can not, then OIO has made a mistake that makes NZ a butt of jokes- see today's Bloomberg "Matt Lauer Ruled Fit to Keep Ownership of New Zealand Estate" headline.