New Zealand is considering blocking Matt Lauer’s farm property purchase

AS THE allegations pile up against disgraced US TV host Matt Lauer, New Zealand has announced it might not let his South Island property purchase go through.

Disgraced former US Today host Matt Lauer may not be approved to finalise the purchase of a New Zealand farm.

DISGRACED former US television host Matt Lauer could be blocked from finalising the purchase of a farm in New Zealand, as allegations of sexual misconduct against him continue to pile up.

NBC news fired the veteran Today presenter on Tuesday after a female colleague accused him of “inappropriate sexual behaviour”.

Since then, more women have come forward to accuse Lauer, who broke his silence overnight, expressing his “sorrow and regret” for the pain he has caused others “by word and actions”.

'I am truly sorry': Matt Lauer responds to sexual misconduct allegations https://t.co/EMyks6Wnhh pic.twitter.com/z2IwqPiGCv

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 30, 2017

New Zealand’s overseas investment regulator has now revealed it is considering the allegations made against him, as part of a review of his purchase of a large South Island farm.

The government body cited the requirement that foreign investors needed to be “of good character” and confirmed it was seeking further information on Lauer.

Earlier this year, the office approved his purchase of a 27,180-acre sheep and cattle farm in New Zealand’s breathtaking South Island, worth an estimated $9.2 million.

Matt Lauer seen out for the first time since his firing from the Today show in the Hamptons, NY. Picture: Instar Images

“A condition of the consent granted to Orange Lakes Ltd to purchase the lease for Hunter Valley Station is that the individuals with control of that company must continue to be of good character,” Lisa Barrett, deputy chief executive of policy and overseas investment, said in a statement.

Orange Lakes Ltd refers to the holding company owned by Lauer and his wife.

NBC boss Andrew Lack said in an email to staff that the company received a complaint about Lauer’s behaviour on Monday and determined he violated company standards, and that it was not “an isolated incident”.

The misconduct reportedly started when Lauer and a fellow employee were at the Sochi Olympics in 2014 and continued when they returned to New York.

Mr Lack said it was the first complaint lodged against Lauer in his 20 years at NBC, but “we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident”.

Originally published as New Zealand is considering blocking Matt Lauer’s farm property purchase