$405k for Hotchin to get away from it

Mark and Amanda Hotchin are understood to be staying at Kahala Beach Estate. Photo / Supplied

Mark Hotchin is believed to be shelling out up to $405,000 on his holiday home during a three-month surfing, tennis and golf holiday with his family and personal trainer in Hawaii.

The co-founder of collapsed finance company Hanover is understood to be staying at the luxurious Kahala Beach Estate on the island of Oahu, and has flown his trainer and a nanny out with him.

The trip comes as work on his $30 million mansion in Auckland's Paritai Drive has ground to a standstill.

The sprawling Hawaiian estate is on the east side of Oahu. The main house and a cottage are on the beach but hidden behind a security gate.

Manager Eva Ogawa yesterday refused to confirm or deny whether Hotchin and his family were renting the estate. She said it was policy not to talk to the media about guests.

The house contains seven bedrooms to sleep up to 14 people, six bathrooms, two pools - one of which belongs to the cottage - a sprawling balcony, tennis court and two waterfalls set in tropical foliage.

The website says it costs $3900 to $4500 a night - up to $405,000 for a three-month stay.

The trainer is understood to be Michael Legg, 26, who works at Boxing Alley, a gym in Auckland's Parnell owned by Hotchin.

He has been writing on his Facebook page about being jetted to Hawaii to keep his client in shape by teaching him to surf, play golf and to help with gym workouts.

He hasn't named Hotchin but said he had been doing activities with the client's family and spending a lot of time outdoors, including playing "90 mins of tennis a day and a round of golf a week".

The estate is in front of the prestigious Waialae Country Club - a championship golf course and home of the 2010 Sony Open, which was held in January.

Legg also announced his excitement about a rumour that Hollywood stars Johnny Depp and George Clooney were living nearby while filming separate movies.

When asked by friends what he was doing over there, he responded: "Just over here for 3 months personal training a client and his family! Not a bad gig!"

Hotchin and Legg did not return requests for comment.

Back in Auckland, neighbours of Hotchin's Auckland mansion are upset about his development, saying their views have been blocked and their houses devalued.

Last month, Hanover co-founder Eric Watson had eight screws inserted in his back after a spine fracture caused by a skiing accident.

He is understood to have undergone six hours of surgery, but investors have little sympathy for him, saying it is retribution.

Marvyn Crone, a Hanover investor who lost about half of her and husband Rowland's investments when the company collapsed in 2008, said she'd like to see Hotchin come back to New Zealand to "face up".

"It's absolutely appalling and disgusting," she said.