Hollywood star's ex-wife has eye on NZ holiday park

Blue Heron Holiday Park

The former wife of a Hollywood movie and television star wants to buy a slice of Northland coastal paradise for $1.5 million.

Joy Ann Stockwell, who was married to Dean Stockwell for 23 years, wants to buy the Blue Heron Holiday Park -- and its beachfront at Tamaterau -- on the Whangarei Harbour.

Stockwell has appeared in dozens of Hollywood movies, including Blue Velvet, Airforce One, The Rainmaker, Rites of Passage, Married to the Mob and Paris, Texas.

However, he is probably best known as the hologram Al in the television programme Quantum Leap.

Ms Stockwell has offered $1.5 million for the property and the Overseas Investment Commission (OIC) is deciding whether the American can buy the property, which is in two titles totalling 8169sq m, both with riparian rights. It juts out into Whangarei Harbour 14km from Whangarei city.

In her application to the OIC, Ms Stockwell's Wellington lawyer David Rolfe said she was intending to apply for New Zealand citizenship and also wanted to buy two other properties, including another at Whangarei Heads.

Mr Rolfe said the 55-year-old property developer, real estate investor, interior designer and environmental activist, who lives in California, intended to upgrade the facilities at the holiday park.

"The holiday park is currently run down and not fulfilling its potential. Our client plans to create an establishment which will attract tourists and locals alike," he said.

Mr Rolfe said Ms Stockwell also wanted to buy other properties in New Zealand. She had yet to make any other purchase applications to the OIC, a commission spokesman said.

- NZPA