Cher zeroes in on secret site in Northland

Cher on stage in Auckland in February. Picture / Dean Purcell

American pop star Cher has found a Northland property she is keen to buy.

"We have isolated one she is interested in but we haven't got there yet," Bayley's Real Estate agent Hamish Macdonald said.

He refused to disclose its location but the Northern Advocate newspaper understands it is in the Bay of Islands area.

Former All Black Mr Macdonald showed Cher around several Northland properties during a helicopter tour in February.

He has kept in contact with the superstar but says the wheels are turning slowly.

"We are still working with her and it's probably going to be a fairly drawn-out affair."

Mr Macdonald said he was bound by a confidentiality agreement to not discuss the matter further.

He said three months ago that Cher was interested in a "few investment opportunities" ... "nothing too grandiose, nothing too big".

The Bay of Islands tour was during Cher's first trip to New Zealand and her interest was focused on Northland because of the region's warm climate, said Mr Macdonald, who has also acted for rock star Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Cher, who turns 59 this month, is known for her daring stage outfits.

Meanwhile, another group of Americans has been granted consent by the Overseas Investment Commission to buy 41ha of land at Butterfly Bay in Whangaroa, Northland, for a confidential amount.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)