Giant house set to break the records

This house, believed to be the country's largest at 2323 sq m, is being built at Coatesville on a 2.7ha piece of land. Picture / Paul Estcourt

A Coatesville house estimated to cost $30 million is being developed by interests associated with the founder of the flourishing Chrisco Christmas Hamper Club.

Richard Bradley, in his mid-50s and a British migrant who lives on the North Shore, is in a group building what is thought to be New Zealand's largest house, on Mahoenui Valley Rd north of Albany.

But a spokeswoman said he was just one of the investors in the developer, Lurcher Ltd.

Despite his apparent wealth and global business, Mr Bradley has never appeared on the National Business Review Rich List, which has a $25 million minimum. He started the Chrisco business in Britain in 1978, has been here since 1992 and runs Chrisco in Canada and Australia.

New Zealand's most expensive house sold is at Boatshed Bay on Waiheke Island. Mark Hotchin, who heads finance company Hanover Group and is a part-owner of the NZ Warriors, reportedly paid $13.8 million for the house this year.

Dozens of tradesmen have been working on the Coatesville house. The site, shielded by high stone walls, has an arbour of mature palm trees, tennis courts, a maze garden, ponds and a large pool.