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The top secret location of the New Zealand's Next Top Model house has been revealed as a multi-million-dollar mansion with a history of parties, playboys and death.
Secrecy shrouds production of the TV3 reality show, but the Herald on Sunday can reveal the 13 finalists are on lockdown in a $4.3 million clifftop hideaway at Campbells Bay on Auckland's North Shore.
The home is owned by Seeby Woodhouse - founder of internet service provider Orcon and man-about-town - and boasts dozens of bachelor pad features, including a pool complete with wet bar, indoor and outdoor jacuzzis and a home theatre.
Woodhouse bought the house from the estate of his friend, party-pill millionaire Logan Millar, who committed suicide there in 2007.
Millar's death made headlines when his then-girlfriend, Michaiah Simmons, revealed they maintained a "loving sexual relationship" with former model Nicky Watson, who lived there with them.
The house was known as a party pad, and Millar even had a dancing pole installed in the master bedroom.
"It's still there and I think it will be featured in the show," said Woodhouse.
"The house is one of a few luxury properties I own around the place and all of them are available for rent, so I was approached out of the blue to use it for the show.
"The spa in the main bathroom is big enough to hold six people and there's about three waterfalls in and outside the house. There's even a waterfall behind the wet bar."
He said renting the house was a "simple business transaction" and he doesn't know much about what's going on during filming.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the house being used on the show though."
Although little is known about the wannabe models' movements inside the house, the contestants appear happy to sun themselves by the pool when the cameras stop rolling.
The pool is beside a shed which houses what appears to be the location for the show's diary room - where the contestants get the chance to discuss their thoughts about their progress and bitch about their rivals.
But the girls are kept under a close watch by production staff, who are understood to have restricted phone contact with the family members in an attempt to ensure details of the show stay quiet.
"All they're allowed to do is call and say whether they made it to the next round," said one source close to the show.
"But they can't say where they're living or what they're doing."
Neighbours don't seem bothered by the bikini beauties and say they rarely see them out and about.
"I see a lot of people who look like production crew coming in and out, but the girls don't seem to be allowed out," said one.
Another had seen the contestants filming out the front of the house and poolside in their bikinis. "I think it's cool they're here. It's a good show."
TV3 publicist Nicole Wood said previous headlines surrounding the mansion had no effect on the decision to use the house as a base.
"We were looking for a large house that could service the needs of the show and house 13 girls," she said. "Whatever happened there previously has no impact on the show."
The show is based on the worldwide hit US format hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks.
Hundreds of girls between the ages of 16 and 25 auditioned for a place last month before the judges whittled them down to 33.
That group was cut even further, with 13 finalists being ushered into the house and facing a variety of challenges designed to see if they have what it takes to become catwalk sensations.
The winner gets prizes including a magazine cover shoot and representation from a modelling agency.
Sara Tetro, who runs Auckland agency 62 Models & Talent is hosting the show, with former model Chris Sisarich and model/actor Colin Mathura-Jeffree as judges.
TV3 has not confirmed a release date for the show but say it will air "within weeks".
