Hollywood actor Jason Momoa has snapped up late Kiwi actor Sam Neill’s former Queenstown estate for $15 million, three months after the film legend tragically passed from pneumonia. 

The Jurassic Park actor died from pneumonia on 13 July 2026 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, aged 78.

While Neill was born in Northern Ireland, his family uprooted their lives and moved to New Zealand in 1954 when he was just seven years old. 

His strong roots to the sea-surrounded nation saw him purchase the 4.92-hectare Queenstown property at 78 Mountain View Rd Dalefield, which he later transferred full ownership of to his former wife, Noriko Watanabe, following their separation in 2017.

The Otago Daily Times reported that Momoa had been renting out the property for some time before he bought it on September 12 for $15 million. 

The sale was reportedly around $3 million above its valuation and has been ranked as the second-biggest Queenstown-Lakes residential sale of the year.

Momoa, 47, who was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, yet grew up in Norwalk, Iowa, has previously opened up about his personal connection to New Zealand saying after Hawaii, it’s a place he feels most connected to.

“I came here when I was about 20 years old, and when I landed there, Hawaii is home, but there’s never been anywhere in the world where I’ve ever felt more connected,” he said.

“I can’t really explain it. If it was my destiny, my ancestors . . . don’t know what it was, but the moment I stepped off that plane, I felt it, and I’ve always been drawn to it.”

The Dalefield estate is the second New Zealand property Momoa has purchased this year.

In April, The Screen Guild NZ reported that Indigenous-led media and investment company, Äriki Group, owned by Momoa, Taika Waititi and Cliff Curtis, bought the West Auckland film studio Studio West.

Momoa noted that he wants to split all his future film projects exclusively between Hawaii and New Zealand and made the investment to support local film crews and nurture emerging talent.

“What excites me the most is the opportunity to build something lasting that supports local crews, nurtures talent, and creates pathways for the next generation of storytellers,” he told the Screen Guild NZ. 

“I am proud to be part of that journey, and to help champion stories that deserve to be seen and heard around the world.”