Scott O\u2019Neill has made the Australian Financial Review\u2019s Young Rich List three times. <\/p>\n
O\u2019Neill tells Society Insider<\/a> he hopes to fundamentally shift how Kiwi buyers approach property investment. <\/p>\n Ten years ago, O\u2019Neill and his wife Mina turned their first A$60,000 commercial property investment into Rethink Group, which the AFR has called Australia\u2019s largest buyers\u2019 advocacy agency working for commercial property in the country. They work on behalf of buyers to find, evaluate and negotiate the purchase of commercial real estate. <\/p>\n They have a house in Sydney\u2019s eastern suburbs on the exclusive Bellevue Hill and spend a couple of months a year at their villa in Greece. Earlier this year, O\u2019Neill was a guest at Sir Richard Branson\u2019s Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. <\/p>\n O\u2019Neill tells Society Insider his existing Kiwi clients span everyone from first-time investors to farmers, to high-net worth individuals and property developers, as well as \u201cathletes who need rapid income replacement given their typically 10-year professional careers\u201d. <\/p>\n He can\u2019t name his high-profile athlete clients in New Zealand, however, he was able to share that in Australia, AFL stars Jarrod Berry<\/a> and Jacob Weitering were clients, as well as former Socceroo Chris Ikonomidis. <\/p>\n \u201cDiscretion is paramount when working with high-profile clients; confidentiality ranks as their top priority, second only to investment performance,\u201d he says of keeping his New Zealand client list close to his chest. <\/p>\n Initially planning to expand Rethink Group into New Zealand in 2021, O\u2019Neill postponed the move until last year, when he says property yields had increased while interest rates began to decline. <\/p>\n The timing was also right last year when he met Nelson-born, Auckland-based Dylan Menzies, who is Rethink\u2019s head of acquisitions NZ. Both men trained as civil engineers before commercial property investment became their passion. <\/p>\n While the group has more than $5 billion in investments in Australia, the pair are pleased with how the New Zealand expansion has taken off. <\/p>\n \u201cSo far we\u2019ve reached $150m in commercial property investments, from Invercargill to Whang\u0101rei and everything in between,\u201d says Menzies. <\/p>\n O\u2019Neill says the timing has proven to be excellent so far in New Zealand. <\/p>\n He says Australian investors are also increasingly entering the commercial property market<\/a> in this country because of greater stock availability compared to more constrained conditions across the Ditch. <\/p>\n O\u2019Neill visits New Zealand four times and a year and when he\u2019s not working, plans to take advantage of some of our best surfing, golf and spearfishing spots.<\/p>\n Parihoa Farm owner takes NZ to the world <\/p>\n Next week, world-leading human resource futurist and South Island-based multimillionaire Matt Chapman<\/a> will launch MC\u00b2, a wellbeing network, from New Zealand to the world. <\/p>\n \u201cWhilst it\u2019s also a play on Einstein\u2019s famous mass and energy equation E=mc\u00b2, it represents my initials combined with the exponential energy of everyone I know and love,\u201d Chapman tells Society Insider. <\/p>\n Chapman, 49, owner of two of New Zealand\u2019s most iconic estates, was born in Muswellbrook, a small town in New South Wales. He studied at the University of Sydney before beginning his career in accounting. In his 20s, he made his mark in Singapore\u2019s recruitment industry and, in 2008, co-founded the global HR firm Chapman Consulting Group<\/a> (ChapmanCG). <\/p>\n He was involved in creating Bawah Reserve, Indonesia\u2019s top private island resort hotel and ChapmanCG became a global leader with a network of 150,000 HR leaders around the world. <\/p>\n In 2013, Chapman looked to settle in New Zealand, purchasing Parihoa Farm<\/a>, a 294-hectare property at Muriwai, overlooking the Tasman Sea. <\/p>\n He says the beauty of the farm was complemented by the main residence: an Andrew Patterson-designed, open-plan, four-bedroom, six-bathroom home with a pool and spa. <\/p>\n In 2017, Chapman officially made New Zealand home and a year later began extensively transforming Parihoa Farm into a world-class estate. Now, the Auckland farm Chapman bought for $6.4m 12 years ago is estimated to be worth at least $40m and Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt<\/a> chose it as his base when he filmed in Auckland earlier this year. <\/p>\n In 2019, Chapman, who is now a New Zealand citizen, fell in love with the serenity of W\u0101naka<\/a> and bought 23.8ha of land on Roy\u2019s Peninsula. When a neighbouring 96ha plot came up for sale in 2020, he purchased that for an estimated $10m. <\/p>\n \u201cNew Zealand, its people, its way of life, and the beauty of the country changed my journey,\u201d says Chapman. <\/p>\n By 2022, Chapman had sold out of most of his global business interests for an undisclosed figure, estimated to be $100m. <\/p>\n Parihoa Farm has been on the market the past two years, and the Fearon Hay-designed home he built on his first plot at W\u0101naka, known as both Synchronicity and Shepherd\u2019s Hut, has been for sale since the end of last year. <\/p>\n When Shepherd\u2019s Hut is sold, Chapman will move into his forever home, Telepathy<\/a>, a partially subterranean build on his neighbouring plot, which is in its final stages of completion. The build will be the anchor point of MC\u00b2, his local W\u0101naka community and iwi. Also known as Hinengaro \u0101 Hauora, meaning \u201ca place of wellbeing and mental health\u201d, he says it will be blessed by Ngai Tahu upon completion. <\/p>\n Prospective buyers can get a look inside both properties that are for sale. Earlier this year, Love It or List It star Phil Spencer filmed his second season of New Zealand\u2019s Best Homes and was impressed with the serenity of Parihoa Farm during a filmed visit that will be screened on TVNZ 1 in October. <\/p>\n A documentary on Shepherd\u2019s Hut<\/a> featured on The Local Project, where it has had over 500,000 views on YouTube. A documentary on Telepathy is also currently being filmed. <\/p>\n Chapman is looking for the right buyer or group of investors for the properties, who understand his vision. <\/p>\n \u201cThese are not just transactions,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n His new venture MC\u00b2 will leverage Chapman\u2019s global industry network, creating one of the world\u2019s first wellbeing hiring companies. <\/p>\n \u201cI am creating an ecosystem around wellbeing that will also include coaching,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n \u201cThe modern world understands the strategic imperative of investing in mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing, alongside fostering a thriving workplace culture, all juxtaposed with the rise of AI. <\/p>\n \u201cThe business will see chief wellbeing officers or custodians that will be hired by new-age leaders who value wellbeing,\u201d says Chapman. <\/p>\n A good week for… Empower Me Pink<\/p>\n Tomorrow night at the Pullman Hotel\u2019s Princes Ballroom on Princes St in Auckland, Kiara Cosmetics<\/a> will host its annual fundraiser, Empower Me Pink, with the support of a global beauty executive to raise money for the PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation. <\/p>\n At the heart of the black-tie evening of glamour and giving is special guest Dariel Sidney, vice-president of global philanthropy at RevitaLash<\/a>, who is travelling from her home in Ventura, California, to share her extraordinary family legacy. <\/p>\n Sidney\u2019s mother, Gayle Brinkenhoff, and her husband, Dr Michael Brinkenhoff, founded Revitalash Cosmetics in 2006. Gayle battled metastatic breast cancer for 23 years, from 1990 to 2013. In 2006, her husband created RevitaLash\u2019s original eyelash conditioner to help his wife feel more beautiful and confident during her illness. Now a global powerhouse, RevitaLash Cosmetics honours the courage and strength of Gayle, and women everywhere, by supporting breast cancer initiatives year-round. <\/p>\n Sidney\u2019s journey and passion for giving back are at the heart of everything RevitaLash stands for. From championing global philanthropic initiatives to supporting breakthrough breast cancer research, Sidney continues to embody the mission of beauty with purpose. <\/p>\n At tomorrow\u2019s fundraiser, Sidney will double every dollar raised for the PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cNew Zealand is such a beautiful country, and I am so excited to be back here raising money for a cause so close to my heart, with a team that fully supports our mission,\u201d Sidney tells Society Insider. <\/p>\n Party people of the week <\/p>\n Ksubi x Superette private dinner<\/p>\n Before Ksubi creative director Pip Edwards<\/a> left Auckland after her visit to New Zealand Fashion Week Kahuria 2025<\/a>, she co-hosted an exclusive dinner with Superette co-founder Rickie Dee<\/a>. <\/p>\n The private event was held at Little Culprit and curated by award-winning chef Kyle Street to launch the latest Ksubi Spring 25 collection, Ascension. <\/p>\n The night was a celebration of style, individuality and denim obsession, alongside a curated dining experience. <\/p>\n To begin, A-List guests enjoyed Belvedere vodka mini dirty martini towers, and Little Culprit\u2019s signature cocktail Mouth Party \u2013 a sour, tequila-based cocktail with grapefruit cordial, rhubarb, Aperol and a lime leaf coated in sherbet to lick first. <\/p>\n A selection of Street\u2019s unique food experiences, in keeping with his style of innovation on the classics, included canap\u00e9s of steak tartare, brisket corndogs, and salmon belly cones. <\/p>\n These were followed by crayfish devilled eggs, asparagus spears with raclette cheese whip and Marmite dust, organic fried chicken on hot cross waffles, and confit duck leg in lettuce leaf tacos. <\/p>\n Among the guests were top models Juliette Perkins and Manahou Mackay, content creators Rachel Soo Thow, Rain & China Katayanagi, Sophie Negus, Amber Peebles, Zeenat Wilkinson and Troi Atkins. <\/p>\n Also enjoying the vibe were DJ and creative Myles Taylor and his partner, content creator and fashion favourite Rosalie Burns, A-list chef Hercules Noble, Pals co-founder Anna Reeve, creative designer Rachel Needham, award-winning music producer Amon Tyson, radio presenter Randy Sjafrie and Australian-based fashion creator Ariana Tapsell. <\/p>\n SupportHER for a cause <\/p>\n The Ponsonby Rugby Club<\/a> recently played host to 2degrees\u2019 SupportHER Club<\/a> merch launch \u2013 a purpose-driven range of hoodies and tees designed to flip the script on sideline support and keep girls in sport. <\/p>\n Guests heard from a powerhouse panel featuring Dame Valerie Adams, professional basketball player Tayla Dalton and sports psychologist Dom Vettise, with former Silver Fern Courtney Tairi as MC. 2degrees chief marketing and strategy officer Zac Summers also took to the stage, reinforcing the brand\u2019s commitment to fighting for fair and championing girls in sport. <\/p>\n A moving moment came when Adams spoke about the pep talks and high-fives she gives herself in the mirror before a competition, highlighting just how vital positive self-talk is for confidence. <\/p>\n Attendees were among the first to get their hands on the limited-edition merch, with many walking away wearing the new slogans Play Brave and Play Like You. <\/p>\n Those spotted in the crowd included Olympic rowing legend Rob Waddell, former professional basketballer turned Craigs investment adviser Tom Abercrombie, Tania Dalton Foundation scholarship manager Paula George, accountant and content creator Lou Tyson Walker, The Hits\u2019 Ben Boyce and his daughter (and partner in content creation) Sienna. <\/p>\nSir Richard Branson and Scott O\u2019Neill on Necker Island earlier this year. <\/p>\n
Scott and Mina O\u2019Neill at home in Bellevue Hill. <\/p>\n
Rethink’s New Zealand head of acquisitions, Dylan Menzies.<\/p>\n
Matt Chapman\u2019s Andrew Patterson-designed home at Parihoa Farm is for sale. <\/p>\n
Wellbeing futurist Matt Chapman purchased Parihoa Farm in 2013.<\/p>\n
Parihoa Farm is perched high above the sea.
The property has undisturbed views. <\/p>\n
Chapman\u2019s Fearon Hay-designed home, called Synchronicity, on his farm at W\u0101naka. <\/p>\n
Chapman says his new venture will include “chief wellbeing officers or custodians that will be hired by new-age leaders who value wellbeing”. <\/p>\n
RevitaLash\u2019s Dariel Sidney is the special guest at Empower Me Pink. <\/p>\n
Rickie Dee and Pip Edwards. Photo \/ Andre Kong <\/p>\n
Juliette Perkins and Mandy Duncan. Photo \/ Andre Kong
Rain Katayanagi and Manahou Mackay. Photo \/ Andre Kong
Zeenat Wilkinson and Rachel Needham at the Ksubi x Superette private dinner at Little Culprit. Photo \/ Andre Kong
Sophie Negus and Rachel Soo Thow. Photo \/ Andre Kong
Randy Sjafrie and Troi Atkins. Photo \/ Andre Kong
Anna Reeve, Amber Peebles and Pip Edwards. Photo \/ Andre Kong
China Katayanagi. Photo \/ Andre Kong
Emma Cruickshank. Photo \/ Andre Kong
Hercules Noble and Myles Taylor. Photo \/ Andre Kong <\/p>\n
Sienna Boyce, Dame Valerie Adams and Ben Boyce. Photo \/ Connor Simpson<\/p>\n
Porter and her dad, Tom Abercrombie. Photo \/ Connor Simpson
Rob Waddell, Nicole Antonelli and Dame Valerie Adams. Photo \/ Connor Simpson
Zac Summers, Emma-Kate Greer, Aaron Smith and Jessica Bartlett. Photo \/ Connor Simpson
Paula George and Lani Rawle. Photo \/ Connor Simpson
Saskia Donnell and Bianca Steyn. Photo \/ Connor Simpson
Courtney Tairi, Zahra Shahtahmasebi and Dame Valerie Adams. Photo \/ Connor Simpson
Anna Gorham, Shane Bradnick, David Parkinson and Haley Featonby. Photo \/ Connor Simpson
Cassie Lapsley and Eva Thomson. Photo \/ Connor Simpson <\/p>\n