The son of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi met Threepwood developer Jim Boult for drinks, but the rumoured sale of the resort did not come up in conversation, Mr Boult said yesterday.
Mr Boult, who is also the chief executive of Christchurch International Airport, hosted Col Gaddafi's London-based son, Saif al Islam al Gaddafi, at his home near Lake Hayes on Friday night.
Mr Boult said it was the first time the two had met.
The evening was arranged by mutual acquaintances who were organising Mr Gaddafi's holiday in the Wakatipu region.
"He's a very well educated, worldly person and we traversed the usual ranges of conversation.
"He loved the smell of Lake Hayes [from the Boult residence deck]."
Mr Gaddafi did not talk about buying property or land, Mr Boult said.
Mr Gaddafi flew by private jet from Queenstown to Christchurch and left New Zealand on Saturday.
He arrived in the country and flew direct to Queenstown on December 28.
