Former North All Black shows Cher beauty spots

A "broken down" former All Black originally from Northland is behind interest in the region being shown by United States pop star Cher.
Hamish Macdonald, who played 12 All Black tests between 1972 and 1976, is a real estate agent not afraid to rub shoulders with the rich and famous. The Bayleys agent confirmed yesterday he had taken Cher and others on a helicopter tour of Northland properties. He has also acted as an agent for rock star Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Although reluctant to give away any details of Cher's visit, Mr Macdonald said the singer was interested in "a few investment possibilities".
"Nothing too grandiose, nothing too big," he said.
"We spent most of Monday looking at a few opportunities in the Bay of Islands area. I've been dealing with her now for about four months. We've been looking at all sorts of opportunities over that time."
Mr Macdonald said Cher's interest was focused on Northland because of the region's warm climate.
He said it was Cher's first trip to Northland and to New Zealand and it was still "a bit early" to say whether she had found a suitable property.
"I hope she thought it was very nice," was all he would say when asked to describe Cher's reaction to Northland scenery.
Mr Macdonald said he had made connections in the American entertainment industry after selling a rural property north of Auckland to rock star Kiedis several years ago.
But he laughed when asked if he was carving a niche for himself as a celebrity property specialist.
"I don't know about that. I get a bit of stick about it sometimes. I've met people in the (entertainment) industry now - one contact leads to another, (but) it's something I don't pursue."
He said he did not get nervous dealing with celebrities.
"They're just pretty normal, like you and me."
Even Cher was in that category, he said.
He described himself as a "broken down" All Black doing his job.
Mr Macdonald, who has been with Bayleys 14 years, said "New Zealand" was an "attractive place", so it was not surprising so-called celebrities and other international investors were interested in buying property here.
The 58-year-old was born in Rawene and is based in Auckland but still has strong connections with Northland. He played representative rugby for Canterbury and North Auckland in the 1970s.
The New Zealand Rugby Museum describes him as a "particularly hardworking and conscientious lock, a strong scrummager and effective front of the lineout jumper".