Steve Owen is moving from Mission Bay to Westmere, after a multimillion-dollar property deal.
The Rawene Ave, Westmere, house gained notoriety in 2016 when it was rented by Hollywood actors Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whitely.
Powell and Hunter sold it in 2020 for more than $17m to Auckland businessman Yin Li and wife Elaine, with the house sale registered under Yin Li’s company Virtuous.
The recent sale price was reported by OneRoof as more than $20m.
In turn, the Lis bought Owen’s home in Mission Bay, in the multimillion-dollar deal.
The Rawene Ave property is regarded as one of Auckland’s finest. It was once rented by actor Jason Statham and has sold for more than $20 million as part of a $56m property deal.
The view from Steve Owen’s new Rawene Ave property in Westmere.
Owen has owned the Mission Bay property on Ronaki Rd for more than a decade. It’s known as one of the area’s best homes.
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Last week, Bayleys agents Sarah Liu and Nick Gilbert told OneRoof they had brought the parties of Rawene and Ronaki together to work out the details of the deal.
Steve Owen has sold his house on Ronaki Rd, Mission Bay, and will be moving to Westmere. Photo / Simon Devitt
Owen’s multi-level, five-bedroom modernist mansion on Ronaki Rd was designed by architect Lawrence Sumich of Sumich Chaplin Architects in Newmarket.
The mid-level entertaining area flows on to a pool and a panoramic outlook of Rangitoto.
Another Sumich-designed mansion on Ronaki Rd, with a similar look, feel and outlook to Owen’s, was sold by Wall Real Estate for more than $20m earlier this year, within two weeks of hitting the market.
Liu told the Herald her Rawene Ave vendors are very tasteful people and the couple decided to buy the Ronaki Rd home after their second visit.
“I said, ‘Okay, if you buy this, you can sell your Rawene Ave home’, and they said yes,” said Liu.
Tenby Powell and Sharon Hunter, pictured in 2015. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
Former Mayor of Tauranga Tenby Powell told Society Insider he was thrilled someone with Owen’s taste had purchased his and Hunter’s former home. He was excited to hear Owen planned to enhance it.
Powell says he and Hunter – with their architect David Ponting of Ponting Fitzgerald and builder Ross Bannan of Bannan Construction – poured blood, sweat and tears into creating their oasis on Rawene Ave, which was purchased as three side-by-side sections in 2008.
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“The fact Hollywood star Jason Statham rented our house in 2016 often overshadows how proud Sharon and I are of what we created,” says Powell.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham. Photo / Getty Images
The 1978sq m site includes landscaped gardens with impressive water features, a cedar four-bedroom mansion, and an infinity pool that stretches out over the water.
Last week, Gilbert told the Herald his client had already visited the Rawene Rd property with teams of people, the architects and the original builder, for a renovation project that Society Insider understands will take six months.
Owen and Li declined to comment on their house swap, but Society Insider hears both vendors have big plans for their new abodes.
Kimberly and Steve Owen at Owen’s son Matt’s wedding at Ayrburn.
It has been a busy time for Owen, with son Matt marrying professional golfer Laura Hoskin last Friday. The ceremony was outdoors in the grounds of Ayrburn in Queenstown – Hoskin’s hometown.
Owen has four children – Matt, Nicholas, Libby and Kimberly. Matt is the first of the siblings to get married.
In March, Matt and Laura told Society Insider they were most looking forward to getting family and friends together to celebrate.
London-based Kimberly flew in to join her family for the happy occasion. Other guests at the black-tie wedding included fellow rich listers Paula and Simon Herbert and Dominique and Mark Francis.
Also looking glamorous for the occasion was media buyer Jane Hitchfield and her husband, managing director at Transport Hydraulic Solutions, Brenden Lyon.
Are Auckland’s old and new guard luxury department stores teaming up?
Representatives from Smith and Caughey’s, pictured, and Faradays have reportedly been having business meetings. Picture / Steven McNicholl
Speculation is rife among the city’s well-heeled that something is brewing between Auckland’s oldest department store business, Smith & Caughey’s, and the city’s newest luxury boutique department store, Faradays in Parnell.
Well-placed sources have told Society Insider of meetings between Faradays’ CEO, Edward von Dadelszen, and representatives from Smith & Caughey’s, as recently as last week.
When asked if Smith & Caughey’s and Faradays might be entering into a partnership or combining some of the luxury marquee brands to which they both have licences, Smith & Caughey‘s joint acting CEO Lizzy Hyndman would not comment.
A spokesperson for von Dadelszen told Society Insider: “We are aware of the speculation, but as a matter of policy, Faradays doesn’t comment on market rumours or ongoing commercial discussions.”
Faradays’ owners Eddie von Dadelszen and Constance Cummings, pictured in 2016. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
Von Dadelszen and his wife Constance opened Faradays on Faraday St in late 2021 as a new emporium for luxury brands. Their modern take on the department store provides a full luxury retail experience, with art, food and beverages to accompany the shopping experience.
On average, Faradays’ ultra-wealthy customers spend thousands of dollars per visit.
Faradays, a luxury department store in Parnell.
The husband and wife had previously operated their fashion label Dadelszen, and vintage accessories and jewellery label Love & Object, around the corner on Kenwyn St, gaining many rich list clients. When they opened Faradays, the couple incorporated their existing businesses into the store, adding an array of desirable imported designer labels.
Along with the von Dadelszens’ shareholding in Faradays Luxury Goods, the business has other high-profile investors, including former All Black great Dan Carter and his wife, former Black Stick, Honor, and Jonty Edgar, executive director of Forsyth Barr.
Faradays’ ultra-high-end designer fashion labels include Givenchy, Celine, Alaïa, Jil Sander, Alexandre Vauthier and Giuseppe Zanotti. Its accessories brands include Spanish design house Loewe, whose candles retail for more than $500, and Ginori 1735, whose porcelain dinner plates retail for $220 each.
Faradays also has a luxurious bar and dining experience, serving caviar and Champagne.
The bar and restaurant at Faradays in Parnell.
In May last year, Smith & Caughey’s announced a major upheaval, with chairman Tony Caughey outlining a proposal to close the businesses and lay off 240 staff.
Caughey, the fifth in the family generational dynasty, told the Herald at the time the company’s stores in Queen St and Newmarket had been running at a loss. He cited a 40% drop in revenue over the previous five years because of factors including the economic downturn, reduced consumer confidence, the rise of shopping malls, and upmarket brands building their own retail stores.
Chairman of Smith and Caughey’s, Tony Caughey, in the flagship Queen St store. Photo / Ben Dickens
The announcement came after two years of consultations and think tanks to come up with ways to take the business forward.
In August 2024, Caughey announced that after weeks of consultation with staff, only the Newmarket store would close. The original 144-year-old Queen St store, the “Grande Dame”, would stay open, saving about 100 jobs.
Earlier this year, Smith & Caughey’s transformed into a ground-floor operation only, stocking beauty and cosmetic products, men’s and women’s clothing and other accessories, with the website also refreshed. Faradays and Smith & Caughey’s now both run slick online operations.
With Smith & Caughey’s and Faradays remaining tight-lipped, speculation is varied on what the “commercial discussions” may bring.
S&C would benefit from the relationships the von Dadelszens have with their exclusive suppliers. A partnership would provide access to products that appeal to the ultra-wealthy and a new generation of money.
The von Dadelszens would benefit from S&C’s still sizeable buying power.
Society Insider can envisage a pop-up version of the Faradays’ retailing style within the Grande Dame on Queen St. We’ll be watching closely to see what eventuates.
Actor Ido Drent an emerging property titan
Ido Drent at his Elaman office in Parnell.
After leaving acting behind, former Shortland Street and Offspring star Ido Drent is now one of the rising names in multimillion-dollar property development.
His company Elaman, which specialises in visually pleasing, low-maintenance social housing, has an estimated more than $100m of projects completed or under way. Elaman has delivered more than 100 homes in seven developments across Auckland, with two more under construction.
Drent’s most ambitious development yet is Olympus, an 87-unit community complex in Mt Albert, with four buildings of three-storey, walk-up apartments.
Elaman, the property development company owned by former Shortland Street actor Ido Drent, is working on its next project – Olympus in Mt Albert.
Drent, 38, who has more than 20 staff working at Elaman, is confident he can take on a project the size of Olympus. Drent says the complex, designed by Brewer Davidson, will give first-home buyers a quality start in a great location.
Entering the property world before his acting career, Drent completed a degree at Massey University in 2008, with a Bachelor in Business Studies in property management and valuation.
Throughout his studies, Drent interned at a property company. His first paid job in property ended abruptly because of the Global Financial Crisis, which is when he pivoted to acting.
Drent became a household name playing Daniel Potts in Shortland Street for three years. That was followed by a move to Melbourne where he starred in Offspring, and later to LA for several years, before returning home to NZ.
Mandy and Ido Drent
He married his wife Mandy in 2011 and the couple have since had three children, Baz, 10, Elliotte, 8 and their youngest, August, who is starting school next year.
It was his family responsibilities that made him realise he needed to put acting to one side.
“After 12 years working and pursuing my acting career, we finally got to a crossroads in 2018 where we had to make a decision for our family and call it a day,” Drent tells Society Insider.
“Acting wasn’t providing the security we needed as a family, so we decided to get back into property, to have autonomy over our future, and we started Elaman.”
He says an early colleague of his in the industry was working at Kāinga Ora and told him of the demand in the social housing sector.
Drent started Elaman to make a positive impact in the community. He says he sought out development opportunities and gained the support of a private investing couple, rich listers Paul and Liz Blackwell, who backed his vision.
“We started with social housing projects and made a real effort to help raise the level of social housing,” he says. “When driving past one of our developments, we hope people think they are beautiful.”
Elaman’s Glenview project.
One of Drent’s projects, the Glenview apartment project, has just been shortlisted in the NZ Architects multi-unit awards.
“I’m proud to have made the shortlist with our social housing project, standing next to some amazing other high-end projects,” he says.
While Drent scoffs at the question of his net worth, he says he is not like some of the “flash developers” out there, and is growing Elaman steadily.
The Drent family now has a comfortable home in St Heliers and is looking at doing some renovations of their own soon.
As for acting, Drent still loves it.
“Maybe one day in a different season, I could see myself back on set or maybe even on a stage enjoying it for the craft, not trying to earn a living from it.”
A good week for… fashion stylist Sarah Stuart
Luiz Serrano and Sarah Stuart are expecting their first baby, a girl, in mid-August. Photo / Sarah Stuart.
Fashion stylist to the rich and famous, Sarah Stuart, one of Society Insider’s most photographed party people, had a surprise baby shower thrown for her last weekend at a mansion on Waiheke Island.
Stuart and her partner, Luiz Serrano, an architect and founder of Oceanic Architecture, based in Fiji and Auckland, have been dating for five years.
They are expecting their first baby, a girl, in mid-August.
Sarah Stuart and Luiz Serrano at their surprise baby shower. Photo / Sarah Stuart.
Stuart’s portfolio of clients she has styled includes international names Mick Jagger, Little Mix, Rove McManus, and local stars Temuera Morrison, Rose Matafeo, Paul Henry, Samantha Hayes, Mike McRoberts, and Hayley Holt.
Stuart’s very private best friend threw her and Serrano a white-themed baby shower at a luxury home, with stunning landscaping on the cliff overlooking Matiatia Bay.
“The weekend was incredible, I still can’t believe my best friend managed to pull off the most beautiful surprise baby shower,” Stuart tells Society Insider.
“She brought together a small, intimate group of my closest friends and my mum, for the sweetest afternoon on Waiheke.
“The setting, with its postcard-perfect harbour views, couldn’t have been more magical.”
Stuart says she and Serrano feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such love and support as they step into their next chapter.
Danielle Dodds and her baby son Iver.
In other baby news, former Bachelorette Danielle Dodds (nee Robinson) and her husband, former YouTube superstar Logan Dodds welcomed their first child last week.
The now Gold Coast-based couple welcomed Iver James Dodds on April 29.
Danielle, who is the daughter of New Zealand Warriors’ owner Mark Robinson, says she is soaking up every minute with her “Ivy boy”.
Party people of the week
Hotel Indigo Auckland celebrates NZ Fashion Week partnership launch
New Zealand Fashion Week’s Liam Taylor, Mathew Simister, Dan Ahwa and Murray Bevan at the Hotel Indigo and Oosterom partnership launch. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
Hotel Indigo Auckland marked the official launch of its partnerships with Auckland-based fashion label Oosterom and New Zealand Fashion Week 2025, with an exclusive event last Thursday afternoon, bringing together the city’s fashion-forward crowd.
The afternoon marked the announcement of Hotel Indigo Auckland as the Official Accommodation Partner for NZ Fashion Week 2025.
Held in the hotel’s newly opened Bistro Saine, guests mingled over the restaurant’s signature canapes, including anchovy en croutes, aubergine frites, and chicken liver parfait, while viewing the debut of a bespoke accessory collection by Oosterom designer Nicole Hadfield.
Oosterom’s Nicole Hadfield and Angie Fredatovich. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
Chris Lim of Maraca New Zealand also introduced a bespoke Waitematā Maraca fragrance amenity range, created exclusively for Hotel Indigo Auckland.
The event drew a curated guest list of media, stylists, fashion influencers, and models, with key representatives from NZ Fashion Week, including its board chairman, Darkhorse founder Liam Taylor, and board members, director and founder of Showroom 22 Murray Bevan and creative and fashion director Dan Awha. Fashion stylists in attendance included Lulu Wilcox, Michiko Hylands and Sarah Stuart and models included Troi Atkins and Portia Prince.
New Zealand Fashion Week 2025 will take place August 25-30 at Shed 10, with Hotel Indigo Auckland hosting a series of on and off-site activations throughout the week.
Sarah Stuart and Portia Prince. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
Carolyn Enting and Michiko Hylands. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
Sophie and Jenny Jung. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
Wilhelmina Shrimpton and Lulu Wilcox. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
Sarah Murray and Ginni Post. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
Isabella Jones, Alice Scott and Sandra Hutchinson. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
Jess Molina and Troi Atkins. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
Martha Brooke and Rachel Soo Thow. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
Italian Film Festival launch
Italian Film Festival artistic director Paolo Rotondo hosted a sponsors’ evening at Silky Otter Ponsonby last Monday evening and a festival grand opening at the Bridgeway Cinema in Northcote last Tuesday.
Paolo Rotondo at the Bridgeway Cinema launch of this year’s Italian Film Festival. Photo / Aaron Staples
It’s the 10th anniversary of the festival in New Zealand and, to mark the decade, there will be 25 films on this year’s programme.
The Auckland season will screen until May 25 at theatres across the city, before moving to cinemas in major centres around the country until January.
This milestone year promises to be the most exciting yet, with a dazzling line-up of Italian films, special events, and the support of the newly appointed Italian Ambassador to New Zealand, Cristiano Maggipinto, who was a special guest on Monday night.
Also in attendance were Rotondo’s wife, IFF business manager Renee Mark, Ricardo Deiana from the Italian Chamber of Commerce, managing director of Flying Fish James Moore and film director Jason Bock.
Francesca Kirwan from jk14 wines, and her brother Niko, were also in attendance, along with Farina restaurant owner Sergio Maglione.
At Tuesday’s event at the Bridgeway, the star attraction was visiting Italian film-maker Lorenzo Colantoni.
Francesca Kirwan, Paolo Rotondo, Sergio Maglione and Ana Schwarz. Photo / Aaron Staples
James Moore, Renee Mark, Jason Bock and Hebe Van Schagen. Photo / Aaron Staples
Italian Ambassador Cristiano Maggipinto. Photo / Aaron Staples
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.
