Society Insider: Ex-Black Cap Mark Greatbatch linked to year’s most expensive house sale, $40m Langs Beach property

Greatbatch, 62, the Black Cap batting star of the 1980s and ’90s and famous as the pioneer of “pinch hitting” – scoring quick runs aggressively and accepting the higher risk of being dismissed – appeared last month on the title of the Anderson’s Cove property with a half share.

Having the New Zealand Cricket president as the possible owner sent speculation into overdrive, with lines such as “Greatbatch owns the greatest bach”.

“If Mark owns that house, I hope I am invited up to stay,” a Greatbatch family acquaintance told Society Insider.

When approached for comment, Greatbatch told Society Insider he doesn’t own Anderson’s Cove, and wouldn’t be drawn on speculation about who the new owner might be.

“I am a trustee, as is publicly known, and the trust owns the property,” Greatbatch says. “That’s really where we would like to leave things.”

Also listed on the Anderson’s Cove property title is Grove Management Services Ltd – a company associated with Christchurch lawyers Hugh Lindo and Andrew Kirk.

Anderson’s Cove has a new mystery owner.

In April, the Nathans’ daughter Sarah embarked on a PR campaign alongside Bayleys, in association with Knight Frank, with Bayleys’ Duncan Ross and Sarah Dyer marketing the estate.

Marketed as a home that has hosted some of New Zealand’s most influential families, it sold within weeks.

Bayleys Waterfront is still heavily promoting the sale as a showcase listing for the brand.

Greatbatch, Lindo and Kirk also have their names on the title of another luxury bach north of Auckland, a $12m pad in Matakana. Until two months ago, Greatbatch owned the home jointly with his former Auckland Grammar schoolmate, mega-wealthy US-based Kiwi businessman Peter Gibson, executive chairman of Stellar Energy.

New Zealand Cricket president Mark Greatbatch. Photo / Mark Greatbatch

Luxury Airbnb sources tell Society Insider that the Matakana home remains available for rentals but the Anderson’s Cove property – which formerly attracted high-net-worth international guests for the Nathans, for up to $6000 a night depending on which dwelling was booked – is not expected to return to the rental market.

Queenstown-based Greatbatch returned to the public arena last November when he became president of New Zealand Cricket.

After retiring from playing, Greatbatch worked in coaching for Central Districts before a stint in the UK in the mid-2000s, serving as an academy coach and later director of cricket at Warwickshire County Cricket Club. On his return, he was appointed an adviser to New Zealand’s national selection panel and became coach of the Black Caps in 2010.

Mark Greatbatch at a Cricket World Trophy event last decade. Mark Greatbatch at a Cricket World Trophy event. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Greatbatch finished his coaching career at St Kentigern in Auckland and retired to Queenstown five years ago to live with his Queenstown-based partner, Deanie Johnstone. Greatbatch’s daughter Alice also lives in Queenstown, while son Charlie plays for a club side in England.

Greatbatch’s former wife, Marina Greatbatch, sells high-end homes for Sotheby’s in Auckland.

Party People of the week

The Real Life Restaurant

Media, influencers and foodies got the first taste of The Real Life Restaurant by Angel Bay last week, as an ordinary Auckland bungalow was transformed into a nostalgic burger diner.

The suburban home was decked out top to toe in playful burger-themed decor: retro signage, mismatched china, fluffy slippers at the door and kitsch diner touches.

The menu was crafted by menu designer and home-cooking expert Jana MacPherson, using the contents of the average Kiwi fridge. Guests sampled the Second Chance Burger, topped with creamy mac and cheese; the Global Sauce Shelf Burger, featuring miso slaw; and the Breakfast for Dinner Burger, sandwiched between waffles and finished with maple syrup.

Guests included Anzco Foods marketing manager Becky Turnbull, Flava’s Azura Lane, The Breeze host Mike Puru, TVNZ journalist Aziz Al Sa’afin and content creators Hannah Koumakis, Win Wolf and model Daisy Clementine Hulme.

Becky Turnbull and Jana MacPherson. Photo / Simeon Patience Caitlan Mitchell, Rachel Duignan, Megan Seger, Mike Puru and Azura Lane. Photo / Simeon Patience Wilhelmina O’Keeffe and Aziz Al Sa’afin. Photo / Simeon Patience Kathryn McMillan and Daisy Clementine Hulme. Photo / Simeon Patience Micah Heath and Win Wolf. Photo / Simeon Patience Marc Thompson and Samantha Richards. Photo / Simeon Patience Trent Hulme, Zinnia Dogra and Caitlan Mitchell. Photo / Simeon Patience Hannah, Terry and Delwyn Koumakis. Photo / Simeon Patience

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.