PHOTO: The filmmaker behind The Lord of the Rings expands his Wellington property portfolio again — and this time, it’s right beside Wētā Workshop. FILE
📍 Location: Miramar, Wellington
💰 Purchase Price: $5.48 million
🏫 Site: Former Miramar Christian School (nearly 3000m²)
🏗️ New Company: C Road HC Limited
🚨 Another Blockbuster Move in Jackson’s Real Estate Strategy
Sir Peter Jackson, the globally renowned director and producer, is quietly building one of Wellington’s most formidable real estate empires. In his latest acquisition, Jackson and partner Dame Fran Walsh have snapped up the former Miramar Christian School site for $5.48 million — more than three times its rateable value of $1.74m.
The property sits on Camperdown Road — right next to Wētā Workshop, the legendary special effects company co-founded by Sir Richard Taylor. While Jackson and Walsh own 60% of Wētā FX, Wētā Workshop remains under separate ownership.
🏘️ A School Site Transformed? What We Know So Far
The deal was made through a new company called C Road HC Limited, believed to stand for Camperdown Road Holding Company.
The Miramar Christian School vacated the site in 2024, citing a need for more space. It is now rebranding as Wellington Hills Christian College and relocating to Broderick Road in Johnsonville.
So far, Wellington City Council has not received any consent applications or redevelopment proposals from Jackson. But given his track record, speculation is already swirling.
📈 Why This Move Matters: The Bigger Picture
Jackson’s purchase adds another layer to what has become one of the most strategically assembled property portfolios in New Zealand. The NZ Herald previously reported the value of his holdings to be at least $350 million — a figure likely to rise with recent acquisitions.
Here’s a snapshot of his empire:
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🏝️ Shelly Bay: Once controversial, now part of Jackson’s cinematic legacy
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🏠 12+ homes in Miramar: Including a recently demolished 1910s villa to extend his personal gardens
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✈️ $105M Lyall Bay purchase: The biggest land deal of 2024
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🎭 BATS Theatre: Supporting Wellington’s creative scene
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🌲 Estates in Masterton and Queenstown: Including a holiday home worth $8.5M
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📽️ Watts Peninsula: Land above Shelly Bay still in Jackson’s sights
🏛️ Museum, Garden, or Something Bigger?
Jackson has already revealed plans for a film museum and exhibition space in Shelly Bay. It’s unclear if the new Miramar acquisition will be integrated into that broader vision — but locals are keeping a close eye.
The school site’s proximity to Wētā Workshop opens intriguing possibilities: from private production facilities to education hubs, or even residential spaces for staff and creatives.
💰 Billionaire Moves: Quiet Acquisitions, Loud Impact
Despite the blockbuster headlines, Jackson and Walsh maintain a low public profile. They declined to comment on this latest purchase. Their net worth, however, is anything but quiet — estimated at $2.6 billion, placing them 5th on the NBR Rich List.
As Jackson continues to redefine the Miramar Peninsula, one thing is clear: Wellington’s property story now has a director, and his name is Sir Peter Jackson.