Famous people passed his way

Nigel Horrocks had many famous people through his doors, including Scarlett Johansson. Photo / Janna Dixon

Pearl Jam rocked here, actress Scarlett Johansson stayed for a bit and Harvey Keitel was a flatmate - if only the walls in Nigel Horrocks' house could talk.

The music producer has just sold the home he built 25 years ago, on land bought on his 25th birthday for $40,000 from Sir Edmund Hillary.

"I have loved this house as much as anyone could but it is time for other things," Horrocks said. "I had Harvey Keitel here during the filming of The Piano and I have written plays with Cliff Curtis.

"Scarlett Johansson was lovely. We sat at the beach for two weeks and no one even knew."

Crowded House, Emma Paki, Che Fu and bands like Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Portishead have played, stayed and recorded at the Karekare house.

Andrew Patterson, who is involved in rebuilding Christchurch, designed the home based on a temple.

Horrocks and two builders created the home using traditional methods.

Horrocks excavated 11,000 tonnes of soil, planted 17,000 trees and mixed 180 tonnes of concrete to create his vision - a platform to view nature.

Set on 1.8ha, the home has a sheltered amphitheatre that could cater for 300 people.

Horrocks said he would set up his recording studio in Auckland and then escape to Ohakune for a year of cycling and yoga.

The new owner - a New Zealand photographer living in London - wished to remain anonymous.

Horrocks did not want to disclose the sale price but said it was well in excess of the low council valuation of $640,000.

Real Estate agent Tim Mahon from Barfoot and Thompson said that figure would be lucky to cover the drainage, retaining walls and infrastructure.

By Kirsty Wynn