Billionaire Peter Thiel refused consent for sprawling lodge in New Zealand

by timackon 8/19/2022, 2:26 AMwith 17 comments

by richardfeynmanon 8/19/2022, 5:49 AM

I live in Wanaka, from San Francisco. There's one side of the lake where there are lots of houses and hotels, where it would make sense to have a lodge like this. The side he wants to build his lodge on is the other side. People here are very particular about preserving the natural beauty, which is one consideration that went into this decision. Another consideration--which may or may not have affected this decision--is that many people are sore at Thiel for getting citizenship after just spending a few days here. The normal process take at least 8 years.

by gumbyon 8/19/2022, 4:50 AM

> Thiel’s proposal was to build the lodge at Mount Alpha, which is classed as an ā€œoutstanding natural landscapeā€ in New Zealand, and subject to special protections.

Perhaps he never read "A Pattern Language" by Christopher Alexander et al. One of my favorite patterns was (my paraphrase): find the nicest spot on the property and be sure not to build there so that you can still visit that place once you have moved in.

by bmitcon 8/19/2022, 5:59 AM

Good for New Zealand, seriously. This guy wants to influence U.S. politics and society in a highly negative way, and yet, tries to build his little getaway bunker in New Zealand after force buying citizenship there. Although, they should have denied his and Larry Page's citizenships.

by tppiotrowskion 8/19/2022, 2:35 AM

Visiting New Zealand I was impressed by the lack of development on Lake Pukaki, Wanaka, and Hawea. Such pure nature that's bound not too last, but I'm glad the Kiwis are trying to slow the development down. There's still plenty of space on the North Island Peter.

by AlbertCoryon 8/19/2022, 5:25 AM

I've actually been to Wanaka. It IS unspoiled, but it's hardly "remote." It's almost exactly an hour's drive from the Queenstown airport.

Anyhow, yeah: they don't need bunkers whose only purpose is to let billionaires survive the apocalypse.

by ilrwbwrkhvon 8/19/2022, 4:31 AM

All wealthy people do everything behind a business. What an arrangement. Buy a house but make a company buy it.

by chison 8/19/2022, 4:43 AM

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/01/peter-thiel-files-plans-to-b...

Here's a post with a few pics. Looks pretty sweet

by lodion 8/22/2022, 3:21 PM

What a strange way to word the headline: "refused consent". This would normally be, "denied permit".

by holografixon 8/19/2022, 4:15 AM

Thank goodness