By 3 News online staff
Piracy-accused internet mogul Kim Dotcom, who is currently residing at Mt Eden Prison ahead of an extradition hearing, purchased a $4 million property just weeks before his arrest.
There was political controversy following his arrest as questions were asked why a man with previous convictions was granted permanent New Zealand residency under the investor plus category.
Dotcom had to agree to invest $10 million in New Zealand Government cash assets over three years to gain approval. He also made a large donation to the Canterbury Earthquake appeal.
However, the Overseas Investment Office has refused Dotcom the right to buy property on three occasions, including for the ‘Chrisco’ house he currently leases.
Prime Minister John Key described the decisions as “on balance” as the OIO has different rules to Immigration.
He said he had asked his officials to look into this “anomaly” and see whether changes should be made.
When immigration makes a decision regarding residency they take into account a person’s record – Dotcom’s record was clean as his convictions were long enough ago to have been wiped off under the Clean Slate Act provision.
The OIO has to take all past convictions into account.
The $30 million Coatesville Mansion that Dotcom’s family lives in is built on 27 hectares of land.
OIO rules state that permission must be applied for by any overseas investor to buy property on more than five hectares of land.
The house Dotcom successfully bought was built on 2.16 hectares. It borders the ‘Chrisco’ mansion.
The property contains a 565sqm house and swimming pool and was previously owned by British couple Benjamin and Tamara De Haan.
3 News