{"id":244751,"date":"2026-01-21T18:18:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T18:18:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/244751\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T18:18:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T18:18:12","slug":"society-insider-nzs-two-richest-families-play-host-to-lupton-and-mcgoldrick-wedding-equestrian-royalty-arrives-in-nz-for-polo-races-and-sales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/244751\/","title":{"rendered":"Society Insider: NZ\u2019s two richest families play host to Lupton and McGoldrick wedding; Equestrian royalty arrives in NZ for polo, races and sales"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jaimee\u2019s fiance is Zuru co-founder Nick Mowbray<\/a>. Society Insider is told Morgan and Tim\u2019s wedding ceremony was held on the Mowbray family\u2019s 40m superyacht, the Mahoenui, which was moored near Church Bay on Waiheke. It was an intimate wedding with about 40 guests said to be there.<\/p>\n

\"JaimeeJaimee and Morgan Lupton.<\/p>\n

The Mowbrays purchased the superyacht from Graeme and Robyn Hart and family five years ago for more than $20 million. <\/p>\n

Morgan looked stunning in a white strapless beaded wedding dress. The couple are believed to have had no bridal party.<\/p>\n

After the ceremony, guests were ferried on tender boats to get from the yacht to shore for the reception at the Hart family estate<\/a>, Church Bay Farm, a private enclave in Church Bay.<\/p>\n

Guests mingled on the hills of the farm with sweeping views of the Waitemat\u0101. The reception was alfresco with long tables set with white sun umbrellas and white orchids.<\/p>\n

McGoldrick is the brother of broadcaster Laura McGoldrick, whose family have long been close to the Harts. Twelve years ago, Laura married former Black Cap Martin Guptill at the Harts\u2019 Glendowie compound, with the Harts\u2019 daughter Gretchen Hawkesby among her bridesmaids. Tim is a close friend of Graeme and Robyn\u2019s son Harry and Nick Mowbray. <\/p>\n

\"TimTim McGoldrick, Harry Hart and Chris McGoldrick.\"HarryHarry Hart, Jaimee Lupton, Nick Mowbray, Chris and Laura McGoldrick and Martin Guptill.<\/p>\n

The Harts have owned the land for more than 20 years, after buying multiple neighbouring sections on Church Bay Rd, Waiheke, to establish a massive holiday estate on the island.<\/p>\n

A stunning white villa-style mansion was built as the main house, with the estate now estimated to be valued at more than $30m.<\/p>\n

Tim was at Harry and Nick\u2019s annual golfing tournament, the Closeburn Classic, in December. It took place at the Hart family mansion at Closeburn Station near Queenstown, which is also now estimated to be worth more than $30m. <\/p>\n

\"TimTim McGoldrick and rugby star Damian McKenzie at the Closeburn Classic in December.<\/p>\n

Sources say that this year\u2019s Classic \u2013 won by Harry\u2019s team, the Mules, on which Tim played \u2013 doubled as an unofficial bachelor send\u2011off for Tim at the after\u2011match.<\/p>\n

Tim and Morgan were with Jaimee and Nick and friends over the New Year break, enjoying time in the Bay of Islands on the Mahoenui, with many of the guests also said to have attended Tim and Morgan\u2019s wedding.<\/p>\n

Guests have been tight-lipped about the details of the wedding, which is said to have been a private affair.<\/p>\n

Among the family and friends were Morgan\u2019s parents, David and Patrica Lupton, and Tim\u2019s parents, Bryn and Leanne McGoldrick. It is understood Tim\u2019s United States-based brother, ListAssist founder Chris, made it home for the wedding, as did Laura and Martin, who have both been overseas with Laura\u2019s broadcasting and Martin\u2019s cricket commitments.<\/p>\n

\"TimTim McGoldrick and Morgan Lupton amongst the Hawkesby and Hart family at the Karaka Million in 2019. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery<\/p>\n

Robyn and Graeme were also there, as was Harry\u2019s fiancee, Australian heiress Cartier Lee.<\/p>\n

After lunch, guests headed back to the boat for drinks and dancing, where Morgan changed into her wedding party dress and she and her new husband enjoyed a private dance on the top deck.<\/p>\n

\"TimTim McGoldrick and Morgan Lupton.<\/p>\n

Guests stayed at either the Hart estate or the surrounding houses. On Sunday, the newlyweds and their wedding guests enjoyed lunch at nearby Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant.<\/p>\n

Tim and Morgan didn\u2019t rush off on honeymoon; last weekend they enjoyed the Ed Sheeran concert in VIP style in a corporate box at Auckland\u2019s Go Media Stadium, joined by Nick, Jaimee and a group of their friends.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the summer wedding season continued last weekend with Pals co-founder Mat Croad<\/a> marrying creative director Rachel Needham at \u0100taahua Estate in Croad\u2019s native Bay of Plenty.<\/p>\n

\"NewlywedsNewlyweds Mat and Rachel Croad. Photo \/Bianca Virtue<\/p>\n

The palatial estate in \u014cmokoroa, Tauranga, is among the most luxurious in New Zealand.<\/p>\n

The ivy-clad Italian palazzo has five staterooms decorated with exquisite artwork, antiques and Venetian furniture.<\/p>\n

The couple married in the grounds, amongst the magnificent Italian landscaped gardens, which feature Roman-style pillars and urns.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe setup at \u0100taahua Estate for Mat and Rachel Croad\u2019s wedding.<\/p>\n

Society Insider reported the couple, who have been dating for more than four years, got engaged last March, with Croad turning his 40th birthday aboard a superyacht into a surprise proposal for Needham.<\/p>\n

Needham\u2019s Trish Peng wedding gown<\/a> was simple and stunning, with a strapless satin ruched bodice flowing into a full, billowing skirt from the hip. Needham wore another Peng creation for the reception.<\/p>\n

\"MrMr and Mrs Croad with Austin. Photo \/ Bianca Virtue<\/p>\n

Croad wore a black suit with a short-sleeved white shirt. Among the wedding party of six were Croad\u2019s good friend, Stolen Girlfriends\u2019 founder Marc Moore, and Needham\u2019s sister Grace, who was her maid of honour.<\/p>\n

Also in their wedding party was the couple\u2019s miniature dachshund, Austin, who wore a white collar and black bow tie.<\/p>\n

Guests included Croad\u2019s Pals co-founders Nick Marshall and Anna and Jay Reeve<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"PalsPals co-founders Anna and Jay Reeve at Mat Croad and Rachel Needham’s wedding. \"PalsPals co-founder Nick Marshall with Amelia Jonas.<\/p>\n

Rich list and society set arrive for NZ\u2019s biggest equestrian week <\/p>\n

Two of New Zealand\u2019s most prominent equestrian families are celebrating milestones in style this week.<\/p>\n

Sir Peter Vela<\/a> and his family are set to pull out all the stops this weekend as they toast their NZ Bloodstock\u2019s centenary.<\/p>\n

\"SirSir Peter Vela (right) and jockey Silvestre de Sousa.<\/p>\n

And on Tuesday night, at the launch of next month\u2019s NZ Polo Open<\/a>, Society Insider learned that the Auckland Polo Club president, poultry magnate Tony van den Brink, is building an impressive new state-of-the-art club at the Cleveland Polo fields, ready for the Open\u2019s 50th birthday next year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to create a legacy club for members and players to be proud of,\u201d van den Brink tells Society Insider.<\/p>\n

The launch was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Karaka<\/a>, which is owned by the Vela family, who have a reported wealth of more than $300m. The hotel sits on the grounds of the Velas\u2019 NZ Bloodstock\u2019s grounds and annually partners with the NZ Polo.<\/p>\n

Van den Brink<\/a>, whose family are reportedly worth $450m, was at the launch, joined by his wife Christine and their daughter, actor, singer and polo player Greta.<\/p>\n

\"ChristineChristine and Tony van den Brink.<\/p>\n

The van den Brinks live at Willow Park in Karaka, a 136ha farm and estate worth more than $26m, where their front lawn doubles as a polo field.<\/p>\n

The family also own Clevedon\u2019s Barberry Downs, where they keep polo ponies, and the Ryburn Park Polo Fields, which has three polo fields.<\/p>\n

Tony owns Van Den Brink Group, most famous for its Brink\u2019s Chicken brand. His sons Matthew and Steve, who work in the family business with their other brother Karl, will be playing in the Open next month for their family team, Brinks.<\/p>\n

The Open sits high on the international polo calendar, and a contingent of wealthy fans and players arrived in Auckland this week for the launch party before the New Zealand Bloodstock sales this weekend.<\/p>\n

Brisbane-based, Australian multimillionaire Steve Urquhart, the director of All Energy Contracting, is flying in four NZ-bred horses from Australia for the Open, at a cost of just under $100,000. <\/p>\n

\"AustralianAustralian multimillionaire Steve Urquhart is flying four horses in from Australia.<\/p>\n

Urquhart has taken the polo world by storm in the past three years, going from owning three horses to more than 25. <\/p>\n

He made a name for himself last year on the European circuit, playing in Spain. In NZ, he will play with one of the world\u2019s leading polo teams, the Swiss powerhouse Standing Rock.<\/p>\n

The team are owned by Swiss polo tycoon Philipp Mueller, who won\u2019t be at the NZ Open because he is in St Moritz for the snow polo.<\/p>\n

Instead, Mueller\u2019s son Pier has flown into Auckland to win the title for the family legacy.<\/p>\n

Swiss\u2011born Pier was previously based in London but has recently shifted his studies to Argentina to focus on the sport and train alongside some of the world\u2019s best players.<\/p>\n

\"SwissSwiss polo player Pier Mueller.<\/p>\n

Other famous names playing in the Open are English star Jimbo Fewster<\/a>, who was at the launch fresh off the plane from his win at the Melbourne Polo Cup Tournament, the largest polo tournament in Australia.<\/p>\n

Fewster has been dating Kiwi show jumping star Laura Inkster<\/a>. He is a regular on the English polo team and has met King Charles and Queen Camilla through playing for Standing Rock in the royal tournaments at Guards Polo Club. <\/p>\n

Fellow English player Will Harper, the son of world-renowned England polo captain James Harper, will be playing against Fewster for Brinks.<\/p>\n

Society Insider is told the Harper family play alongside the sport\u2019s biggest tycoons and global royalty and aristocracy.<\/p>\n

Also playing for Brinks is the highest-rated player in the tournament, Argentine player Juan Gris Zavaleta.<\/p>\n

Marquees at the Open cost from $3620 for 10 people, while public access costs from $45 per person. Marquees are also available for groups of 20 and 30.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Karaka Millions races take place this Saturday afternoon at Ellerslie, where the Vela family will have an NZ Bloodstock marquee before the Bloodstock sales at Karaka the next day and ensuing week.<\/p>\n

Peter Vela\u2019s daughter, Petrea Vela, tells Society Insider that thoroughbred experts and enthusiasts will descend on Karaka from all over the world as they hope to find their next racetrack star.<\/p>\n

\"VictoriaVictoria and Petrea Vela. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love welcoming them at our Karaka Millions raceday at Ellerslie on the eve of the sale commencing,\u201d says Petrea Vela.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe team at NZB has been building towards this special milestone for some time, and we\u2019re thrilled that our vendors will be supporting this sale with their finest stock.\u201d <\/p>\n

Expected guests at both the Millions and the sales are Minister of Racing Winston Peters<\/a>; Lance and Bridgette O\u2019Sullivan and their family, including All Black Damian McKenzie, who is weeks away from welcoming his first child with Georgia O\u2019Sullivan<\/a>; former Black Cap Brendon McCullum; Warriors chief Cameron George; and former supermodel Kylie Bax<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"DamianDamian McKenzie, Bridgette O\u2019Sullivan and Tom Doyle.\" Kylie Bax.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his wife, Amanda, have also been invited to the Karaka Millions, and if they attend, have been asked to present the prize to one of the million-dollar race winners. <\/p>\n

Also expected at the Millions and the sales are Cambridge Stud\u2019s Sir Brendan Lindsay and his wife, Lady Jo, Waikato Stud\u2019s Mark Chittick, Windsor Park\u2019s Nelson and Sue Schick, and Trelawney Stud\u2019s Brent and Cherry Taylor. <\/p>\n

\"SirSir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay own Phar Lap\u2019s horseshoes. Photo \/ Dean Purcell<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s bloodstock sales will be extra special, as this year marks NZ Bloodstocks\u2019 100th birthday. Famous sales over its history include Phar Lap, who was sold in the event\u2019s second year in 1928. A life-size model of the famous horse will be at the entrance.<\/p>\n

Society Insider is told interest is high in New Zealand horses this year, after horses bred here won 23% of 2025\u2019s Group One races in Australia.<\/p>\n

The most expensive filly last year was sold for $2.4m, bought by South Island rich lister Glenn Ritchie, the former Ritchies coach transport magnate. Ritchie has been invited to the Millions and is expected to attend the sales.<\/p>\n

Notable names expected to attend the sales this year include trainer Gai Waterhouse, known as the Queen of Australian horse racing, as well as Australian-based Tom Magnier<\/a>, the son of Irish billionaire and horse racing tycoon John Magnier, who has his Coolmore stud farms in Britain, the United States and Australia. Tom runs his father\u2019s company in Australia.<\/p>\n

\"TomTom Magnier. Photo \/ Sarah Ivey<\/p>\n

Also attending is Aussie billionaire Gerry Harvey, the executive chairman of Harvey Norman Holdings. The retail magnate is a major figure in the thoroughbred bloodstock industry, owning significant breeding operations, Baramul Stud in Australia and Westbury Stud in New Zealand.<\/p>\n

Other trainers attending include world-famous Australian Peter Moody, who is notable for training more than 3000 winners; British trainer William Haggas, known for training winners for the late Queen Elizabeth II, and Aussie-based Kiwi Chris Waller, who is widely regarded as one of the best in the world.<\/p>\n

Local rich listers who are regulars at the sales include Viaduct property barons Mark Wyborn and Trevor Farmer, and former All Black Ali Williams, all of whom are friends with the Vela family. <\/p>\n

Party People of the Week <\/p>\n

NZ Polo Open launch <\/p>\n

The Milford NZ Polo Open<\/a> launch party, hosted at the DoubleTree by Hilton Auckland in Karaka on Tuesday, welcomed polo patrons, players, and sponsors ahead of the event at the Auckland Polo Club, Clevedon, on Sunday, February 15.<\/p>\n

Guests at the launch enjoyed free-flowing Veuve Clicquot and Whispering Angel magnums, beers and AF mocktails, with canapes from Double Tree\u2019s head chef, Sergio Arroyo.<\/p>\n

Also at the launch were the Open\u2019s new naming rights sponsor, Milford. The company\u2019s acting CEO, Philip Morgan Rees, spoke about how thrilled he was to be aligned with the prestigious event, and chief marketing officer Sarah Norrie<\/a> performed the four-team draw.<\/p>\n

\"PhilipPhilip Morgan Rees and Sarah Norrie. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery <\/p>\n

Among the guests were NZ Polo Open<\/a> executive director Lucy Ainsley, Moet Hennessy general manager Lisa Mackenzie, fashion designer Caitlin Crisp, Crane Brothers Robert Niwa, equestrians Kirsten Worker and Kate Disley-Ormond, Australian polo team captain Indi Bennetto and the founder and CEO of Models, Cassandra Grodd. <\/p>\n

\"TatumTatum Savage and Lucy Ainsley. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery \"CaitlinCaitlin Crisp, Cassandra Grodd and Holly Lindsey. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery \"CaitlinCaitlin Crisp, Robert Niwa and Cassandra Grodd. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery \"JimboJimbo Fewster and Laura Inkster at the NZ Polo Open launch in Karaka. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery\"KateKate Disley-Ormond, Liv Glen and Kirsten Worker. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery\"MechaelaMechaela Yap, Donny and Jenny Mukerji.. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery \"GretaGreta van den Brink and Indi Bennetto. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery \"LousieLousie Bentley, Guy Needham and Erin McKenzie. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery \"MichelleMichelle and Steve van den Brink. Photo \/ Norrie Montgomery <\/p>\n

SailGP at Club Silver <\/p>\n

Auckland media, broadcasters and influencers gathered at Club Silver by Heineken at the Parnell Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday evening to get behind the Black Foils as the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship<\/a> kicked off in Perth.<\/p>\n

Racing action lit up the big screen, with guests settling in to watch the high-speed drama unfold and show their support ahead of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Auckland this February 14-15.<\/p>\n

The race didn\u2019t go the Black Foils\u2019 way in Perth, following an on-water collision, but the spotlight now shifts to their anticipated return to Auckland next month.<\/p>\n

Guests enjoyed a range of Heineken beverages and food from the original German schnitzel food truck Der Schnitzelwagen.<\/p>\n

Guests included Flava\u2019s Azura Lane, The Edge\u2019s Yasmina Coe, The Rock\u2019s Mel Abbot, The Hits\u2019 Brin Rudkin, NZ rugby league player Lesley Vainikolo, and man-about-town Colin Mathura-Jeffree, alongside influencers Hannah Koumakis, Gem Pedersen, Claudia MacDonald and 2024\u2019s Miss New Zealand Samantha Poole, who all soaked up the excitement and hospitality. <\/p>\n

\"MelMel Abbot and Yasmina Coe. Photo \/ Black on Black\"BrinBrin Rudkin and Sam Broun. Photo \/ Black on Black \"AntAnt Ogilvie and Azura Lane. Photo \/ Black on Black \"JacksonJackson Baird and Claudia Macdonald. Photo \/ Black on Black \"LesleyLesley Vainikolo and Komene Admore. Photo \/ Black on Black \"GemGem Pedersen and Maisey Lendrum. Photo \/ Black on Black \"CooperCooper Hood and Robbie Woodward. Photo \/ Black on Black \"AngeliqueAngelique Fris-Taylor and Colin Mathura-Jeffree. Photo \/ Black on Black\"HannahHannah Koumakis. Photo \/ Black on Black \"SamanthaSamantha Poole and Joanne Mutandagayi. Photo \/ Black on Black \"YasminaYasmina Coe, Antonia Aimer and Lizzie Solly. Photo \/ Black on Black \"MoniqueMonique Macdonald, Celia Ward and Zara Stevenson. Photo \/ Black on Black<\/p>\n

Ricardo Simich<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jaimee\u2019s fiance is Zuru co-founder Nick Mowbray. Society Insider is told Morgan and Tim\u2019s wedding ceremony was held…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":244752,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[1443,95,28823,41571,51,6326,1038,3237,9837,65411,3685,5988,2082,1445,71,5838,12022,78,2936,6093,41901,9610,143244,11212,111,139,69,3272,10538,10702,74231,16511,2952,17445,6747,667,2953,2935,213,165,1961,61,2951,23280,1237,2940,15315,686,102],"class_list":["post-244751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-about","tag-and","tag-arrives","tag-arriving","tag-auckland","tag-biggest","tag-brings","tag-buyers","tag-calendar","tag-equestrian","tag-events","tag-families","tag-for","tag-friends","tag-from","tag-help","tag-host","tag-in","tag-insider","tag-little","tag-lupton","tag-married","tag-mcgoldrick","tag-morgan","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-nzs","tag-play","tag-players","tag-polo","tag-races","tag-ricardo","tag-richest","tag-royalty","tag-sales","tag-simich","tag-society","tag-sports","tag-their","tag-this","tag-to","tag-town","tag-trainers","tag-two","tag-wealthy","tag-wedding","tag-week","tag-with"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=244751"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244751\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/244752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=244751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=244751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=244751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}