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Matt Lauer may have to give up his New Zealand ranch

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]New Zealand’s morality police are looking into whether charges against Matt Lauer of sexual misconduct are enough to negate his purchase of a 16,000-acre ranch there. It seems that high property prices down under have made foreign investors somewhat unwelcome, thus the country’s Overseas Investment Office imposes strict character guidelines.

Apparently, Lauer passed the good character test when he purchased the property with his wife in February, but the agency has brought his character under review again since the charges were made this week, according to the New York Times.

The test was devised to ensure that foreign investors are worthy to be “granted the privilege of owning or controlling sensitive New Zealand assets.”  Lauer bought his property, estimated at $9.2 million in the nick of time. A ban on overseas purchases is expected next year.

If he is deemed unworthy, local residents will breathe a sigh of relief. It turns out that the former Today Show host had cut off public access to the waterfront property.

 

Photo courtesy news.com.au[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]