The Diary: 'Thinking women's crumpet' pushes NZ show

From left, TV3's Paul Maher, Kevin McCloud and David Hisco of ANZ Bank.

Host of hit TV series floats an experimental idea of home ownership which is gaining traction in Britain

British TV star Kevin McCloud was in Auckland this week to celebrate a Kiwi version of Grand Designs, the hit UK property show he hosts.

McCloud flew in to be part of the announcement that TV3 and ANZ Bank have formed a production partnership to create the New Zealand series. Dubbed the thinking women's crumpet, he clearly enjoyed his five days in New Zealand, visiting Christchurch, Thames and "a friend on the Coromandel Peninsula".

"New Zealand really is the land of pioneers. In Britain, we see New Zealand as the land of adventure and opportunity; it's a fabulous place to live."

But asked how fabulous it is for Kiwis who struggle to get on the property ladder because values have risen disproportionately to income, McCloud promotes surprising alternatives.

"The extreme answer is you don't buy, you rent. But in between the two extremes [being a tenant or homeowner] I think there's lots of other models worth exploring, such as rent-to-own or shared ownership.

"Shared ownership is quite popular in the UK, where you buy your house from a housing association and they own a portion of it.

"You don't own 100 per cent of your home. You pay a portion of it, and then when it comes time to sell you take a portion of the profits.

"So you start out with a partner. It's a way of trying to enshrine a level of permanent affordability. It's a new experimental model which is increasingly gaining traction, because in the UK we have the same problem. We're desperate to find ways to make buildings affordable.

"Frankly, this is better than taking a mortgage out, because with a mortgage with the bank if you default on a payment it's not your house any more. Is that ownership? I don't think so."

Despite the affordability of homes for many in New Zealand, particularly in Auckland, the ongoing fascination with ownership suggests TV3's partnership with ANZ is a savvy step.

The deal is worth "hundreds of thousands of dollars", an insider told The Diary.

TV3 boss Paul Maher announced the partnership at a cocktail party at the newly named ANZ Viaduct Events Centre on the Auckland waterfront on Wednesday night.

He can jet off to Chicago next week, where he will watch the All Blacks play the USA with colleague Mark Jennings, quite relieved.

"We're thrilled to bring this internationally successful series to New Zealand," Maher said, "and I'd like to acknowledge the support of both ANZ and NZ on Air and their commitment to the project right from the beginning."

Shooting has already started on the show, which will feature 10 ambitious building projects around the country.

A house near Pakiri beach owned by a Scottish couple is understood to be in the first episode, which will hit television screens next year.

Who will front the series remains a secret for now.

Woo-Who - Jenna drops in for lunch

Jenna Coleman was "lovely" according to Stonyridge VIneyard management.

Toting a Mulberry bag and trendy wedge heels, British TV actor Jenna Coleman made a glamorous appearance at Waiheke's Stonyridge Vineyard on Thursday.

The Doctor Who star joined a dozen friends on an intimate winery tour, ahead of the Armageddon Expo, starting today at Auckland's ASB Showgrounds. They enjoyed a two-hour lunch and a stroll through the vineyard and olive groves surrounding the estate.

"Jenna was absolutely lovely," said proprietor Stephen White, who counts Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones as friends. "There was no special celebrity treatment. They were all polite and thoughtful, and went out of their way to say thanks."

Yesterday, Coleman and her fellow Armageddon celebs, including WWE legend Hacksaw Jim Duggan and MacGuyver star Richard Dean Anderson, caught a bus to Hobbiton.