Society Insider: Luxury lodge designer Virginia Fisher plans downsize from $25m waterfront mansion; real estate star Megan Jaffe sells up

She and husband Stephen, chairman of the Spirit of Adventure Trust, have owned the Sarsfield St property for more than 45 years. It has an RV of $25.5 million but is expected to fetch far north of that.

Virginia and Stephen Fisher at an event earlier this year. Photo / Norrie Montgomery

One of Auckland’s leading luxury real estate agents told Society Insider the property is one of the finest in Herne Bay and in the top five offerings on the suburb’s waterfront.

“It would be many people’s favourite, as Virginia’s taste is so sought after,” said the agent.

Fisher told Society Insider it was far too early in the process to grant an interview about selling the home.

Virginia Fisher, left, who has designed the interiors for many of New Zealand’s top luxury lodges, is selling her $25m waterfront Herne Bay home; while successful real estate agent Megan Jaffe has completed sales on two of her own Remuera properties. Photo / Herald composite

NZME’s OneRoof last month revealed the property was for sale, but it wasn’t appearing on NZ Sotheby’s websites.

The Fishers went international with their listing on Sotheby’s global, wanting to keep any NZ attention on the down low.

The property has featured on the websites of Sotheby’s affiliate partners Mansion Global and James Edition.

The 719sq m Simon Carnachan-designed mansion sits on a 2253sq m section within a private bay with its own jetty and boat shed.

The entrance of Virginia and Stephen Fisher’s magnificent Herne Bay waterfront home.
Photo / OneRoofThe Fishers’ master bedroom. Photo / OneRoof

The home’s numerous living areas reflect Fisher’s varying design tastes, and all flow on to numerous terraces, with manicured Italian-style gardens juxtaposed with pōhutukawa trees, sculptures and a resort-style pool and spa.

There are six bedrooms, all with ensuites, and a separate guest house.

The master bedroom features a gold ceiling with twinkle star lighting, and the home also has its own wine bar.

The Fishers’ adjacent property at 91 Sarsfield St is also available for purchase, which it is understood would take the RV up in value.

The property neighbours the Sentinel Rd mansion, recently sold by Australian-based Rich Lister and property developer Ben Cook, for a reported $35m.

An aerial view of the Fisher mansion, right, and the former Ben Cook mansion, left.
Photo / OneRoof

NZ Sotheby’s International Realty agents Patrick McAteer and Suzanne Browne would not comment to OneRoof on why the “very private” owners were selling.

But sources close to the Fishers’ circle tell Society Insider the couple plan to downsize to an apartment in Auckland.

“They were very keen on Chris Meehan’s Wynyard Quarter developments, which are unfortunately on hold at present,” says the source.

Meehan is the CEO and founder of property development company Winton, which was planning a $750 million Northbrook Wynyard Quarter retirement village and neighbouring apartment complex. Winton announced last December the project was on hold.

The scheme is planned to be NZ’s highest-price retirement village, and Winton wants to be prudent, proceeding when construction costs and interest costs are moderate and the timing in the cycle is right.

Fisher told Society Insider that she was indeed interested in Meehan’s proposed Wynyard Quarter plans and that she was a big fan of his work. His company’s other high-profile recent developments include Ayrburn, the multi-venue hospitality precinct in Queenstown.

A lock-up-and-leave Auckland apartment would suit the Fishers nicely, who are said to spend a lot of time at their waterfront beach house in Matarangi in the Coromandel, where ultra-wealthy residents are beachfront or on the golf course.

In 2023, Peter and Lucinda Burling got married in Matarangi with a stunning beachside wedding.

The plans to downsize her much-loved home don’t mean Fisher has been slowing down professionally. This year has been full of big projects, including the completion of the full refurbishment of Taupō’s Huka Lodge, and the recent opening of the Roki Collection in Queenstown.

Virginia Fisher designed the interiors of the recently opened luxury hotel Roki Collection Queenstown.Huka Lodge reopened in March after a full refurbishment. Photo / George Apostolidis

The Huka redesign was a full-circle moment for Fisher. It’s been more than 40 years since she first worked on the lodge’s interiors, bringing Dutch businessman Alex van Heeren’s vision for the luxury accommodation to life. Over the years she has also worked with van Heeren on his South Africa lodge, Grande Provence, and Dolphin Island in Fiji.

Now owned by Australia’s Baillie Lodges, Huka Lodge reopened in March. Fisher worked closely with the luxury group’s founder James Baillie to conceive and implement the makeover.

Virginia Fisher and Karen Walker at a Huka Lodge book launch last decade. Photo / Norrie Montgomery

International billionaires and luxury hospitality groups have lined up to have Fisher add her design touches to their lodges throughout her career.

She worked with the late US billionaire Julian Robertson on his three NZ properties, Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers and Matakauri – all now owned by Rosewood hotels; as well as US billionaire Bill Foley’s Wharekauhau lodge in Wairarapa, and NZ Rich Lister John Sax’s Kinloch Manor in Taupō.

Fisher has also worked on Queenstown’s Millbrook, and Australian tourism mogul Andrew Cox’s Eichardt’s Private Hotel and the Elms on Lake Hayes, where the Fishers are understood to own a villa.

Her work has also been linked to private homes including Closeburn House in Queenstown, which Kiwi billionaire Graham Hart bought in 2017, and the magnificent Saddle House in the Southern Alps.

Megan and Dr Warwick Jaffe are the owners of Waiheke’s Sculpture Park.
Photo / Herald composite

Meanwhile, the queen of the Auckland real estate scene, Megan Jaffe and her husband, renowned cardiologist Dr Warwick Jaffe, have sold both their Remuera homes for nearly $15m.

Society Insider reported last year that the Jaffes had purchased Waiheke’s iconic Sculpture Park from arts philanthropists Jo and John Gow for an estimated $17.5m.

Sources tell Society Insider the Jaffes have had a busy year, taking ownership of the 13ha Cowes Rd property, which has a private bay that looks out to Ponui Island and the Coromandel.

“Over nine months, Megan and Warwick have had the property, the waterfront main residence, and its several cottages, lovingly restored,” says the source.

The Jaffes’ two Seaview Rd properties were for sale last year, however, Megan told Society Insider one was likely to be kept as a bolthole in the city for the hard-working couple.

But both properties have since been sold – the main Mediterranean style residence for nearly $10m and the neighbouring townhouse for just over $4m.

Instead, the Jaffes have purchased a four-bedroom apartment, close to Megan’s Ray White Remuera offices, which are located in the former Remuera Library.

The former Remuera home of Megan and Warwick Jaffe. Photo / OneRoofThe Waiheke estate of Megan and Warwick Jaffe. Photo / OneRoof

Jaffe also has Ray White offices in Ōrākei, Ponsonby and Greenlane. She and her teams cover more than 60 areas in Auckland.

On top of that, this year, Jaffe and her business partner Thomas Farmer opened MJRE Projects, which is part of Megan Jaffe Real Estate.

The business specialises in the sale and marketing of residential projects across Auckland, guiding developer clients from concept to completion.

Luxury Network NZ sold to ex-pro golfer

Luke Nobilo is the new owner of The Luxury Network.

Former professional golfer Luke Nobilo has purchased The Luxury Network (TLN) NZ, the local arm of the global luxury marketing group.

By purchasing TLN, Nobilo has acquired its exclusive database of 2000 high net-worth private clients from the trio of former owners Sofia Ambler, Cecilia Lambie, and Scarlett Wood.

The company works with luxury jewellery, automotive, fashion, hospitality, and lodge brands, creating a calendar of events and online digital campaigns from its members and affiliates.

“It’s always hard to take over something which has been done so well and try to improve it,” Nobilo tells Society Insider.

“However, the future of The Luxury Network will depend on its ability to continue to deliver value to its partnering members, both new and current.”

Former co-owner Wood, who is the Senior Director of International Business with high-end luxury real estate firm New Zealand Sotheby’s International, will continue with TLN in an advisory capacity.

Former TLN owners Sofia Ambler, Cecila Lambie and Scarlett Wood.

“The Luxury Network has truly been our baby, built with dedication, care, and a deep commitment to our members’ success,” says Wood.

The sale comes as Ambler and Lambie have found themselves spending more time in their home country, Sweden, as their families get older.

Selling TLN to Nobilo means they can spend more time on their other NZ businesses.

Ambler, who took on TLN a decade ago, owns Heletranz and NZ Jet with her husband John. Lambie runs her own digital ecommerce platform, My Luxury Channel.

Ambler and Lambie’s businesses will still be connected with TLN and Wood says they are invested in seeing the business flourish under Nobilo’s ownership.

Luke Nobilo on the golf course. Photo / Joel Ford

Nobilo, 47, who grew up in Auckland and attended Saint Kentigern’s, is confident his experience and contacts will add to what he describes as a superb business.

Nobilo’s pro golf career was predominantly across the Tasman on the El Troppo Pro-Am circuit that made its way north from Victoria, through New South Wales and up into Queensland, before a mini circuit through the Pacific Islands.

A single father of two boys, Nobilo has been based in Mount Maunganui since 2010, where he was a head teaching professional at the Mount Golf Club for six years. He then worked in luxury real estate and finished working with Sotheby’s in 2023.

His famous family includes Kiwi golfing legend Frank Nobilo, who is his second cousin, and Nikola Nobilo, who started Nobilo Wines and is his grandfather’s second cousin.

Luke Nobilo’s pro golf career was predominantly across the Tasman on the El Troppo Pro-Am circuit.

Nobilo says it will be an exciting new chapter for TLN’s NZ members, creating new events and digital campaigns. He also intends to create larger events incorporating more than one brand at a time.

“With my background in professional golf, getting out on the golf course with guests and members is certainly on the cards,” he says.

“We would like to take The Luxury Network Experience to the rest of the country and activate throughout NZ, particularly in the Waikato, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown regions.”

He says TLN has worked well with affiliates across the Tasman this year, which he wants to continue in 2026. He says they are currently working on a ‘big name’ to bring to NZ next year.

Rhea Skinner Numan is The Luxury Network’s new events and relationship manager.

Nobilo has appointed Rhea Skinner Numan, 38, as TLN’s new events and relationship manager, after a year working with the company in an advisory role.

The mother of four has a background in marketing and a strong passion for events. She spent 10 years in Melbourne before returning to NZ in 2017 and is excited to bring her creativity, organisation and extensive network to TLN.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Luke and Scarlett and to contribute a younger, dynamic network to The Luxury Network,” says Skinner Numan.

“I’ve built strong connections over many years, from my time at St Cuthbert’s to the relationships I’ve formed through my children at King’s.”

Luke Nobilo and Rhea Skinner Numan with Sofia Ambler and Scarlett Wood.

Numan’s husband Gerrick is the director of hospitality design company Millé. He has owned four cafes and designed more than 500 restaurants, cafes and bars in NZ.

The new TLN trio of Nobilo, Wood and Numan have been planning the TLN calendar to launch in February.

They already have several events under their belt, including Luxury Cruise Company Ponant and The Private Travel Company dinner at The Vault, the private dining room at Gilt Brasserie, as well as a Louis Vuitton Christmas gifting event at Westfield Newmarket.

Party people of the week

Silver on the Green

The lawns of Parnell’s historic tennis club, which sits below Auckland Museum, have been transformed into Club Silver, Heineken Silver’s summer takeover of the 150-year-old venue.

More than 200 guests attended the launch party, where they enjoyed a selection of Burger Fuel’s best bites, Heineken Silver ‘Beerjitos’ (beer mojito) and Heineken Sunsetters (cocktails made from beer, Aperol, lime and syrup) as well as a selection of the brand’s beers, with music from DJ Pixie Lane and DJ Lewi Mcnae.

Guests included tennis player Paige Hourigan, Kiwi acting stars Vinnie Bennett, Jayden Daniels and Niwa Whatuira, wrestler Utah Mann, radio stars Ben Boyce and Clint Randell, stylists Sammy Salsa and Estelle Schuler, beauty entrepreneur Edna Swart, The Supreme Group’s Tom Greig, and Josh Prier from Huffer.

The country club-inspired space is open throughout the summer, with regular DJ sets and food trucks.

Paige Hourigan and Ella Smith at Club Silver at the Parnell Lawn Tennis Club. Photo / RadlabBethany Pettengell, Monique Oyagawa and Tessa Patrick. Photo / RadlabVinnie Bennett, Utah Mann, Elliott Macdonald and Niwa Whatuira. Photo / RadlabDevon Toi, Louise Yates, Tia Harris and Bethany Pettengell. Photo / RadlabBen Boyce. Photo / RadlabFraser Kirby and Jono Parker. Photo / RadlabEstelle Schuler. Photo / RadlabSammy Salsa. Photo / RadlabEdna Swart. Photo / Radlab

Thirty years of PlayStation magic

PlayStation NZ recently marked 30 years of gaming, storytelling and Kiwi pop culture with an exclusive rooftop celebration at TBWA\NZ on Mayoral Drive.

The event featured PlayStation throwbacks, consoles, collectables and classic party treats.

Guests stepped through the decades with hands-on gaming stations – from Jonah Lomu Rugby on the original PlayStation and SingStar battles on PS2, to a PS5 racing simulator and Astro Bot. In true 90s Kiwi style, guests were treated to Ashby pies, rainbow popcorn, gourmet sausage sizzle, PlayStation cookies, a lollie bar, and a spread of Pals, wines and beers.

Special guests included former All Black Ian Jones, media personality William Wairua and his fiancée, lawyer Taylor Sutherland, NZ Breakers star Alex McNaught, Twitch Streamer and YouTuber Chick Filo, Influencer Aziaa, Auckland FC players Callan Elliot, Marlee François, Liam Gillion and Lachlan Brooke, and The Hits hosts Ben Boyce and Jono Pryor.

Socialite Ash McInroe, won the door prize, the limited-edition 30th Anniversary PS5 console. Kiwi music legend Ché Fu even jumped behind the decks for a short cameo set, much to the crowd’s delight.

Ian Jones and Ben O’Neill-Gregory. Photo / RadlabChris Key and James Pugsley at the PlayStation 30th birthday at TBWA NZ. Photo / RadlabChico Filo and Aziaa. Photo / RadlabAlex McNaught. Photo / RadlabAshley McInroe and Tyler Pulman. Photo / RadlabSam Morgan and Ellie Harwood. Photo / RadlabJono and Jennifer Pryor. Photo / RadlabTyler Wood and Liam Gillion. Photo / RadlabElla and Marlee François, and Callan Elliot and Keany Morey. Photo / RadlabWilliam Wairua and Taylor Sutherland. Photo / RadlabChé Fu on the decks at the PlayStation 30th birthday at TBWA NZ. Photo / Radlab

Ricardo Simich has been with the Herald since 2008 where he contributed to The Business Insider. In 2012 he took over Spy at the Herald on Sunday, which has since evolved into Society Insider. The weekly column gives a glimpse into the worlds of the rich and famous.