A multi-million-dollar mansion linked to “significant criminal activity” has been sold for an undisclosed sum.
The award-winning five-bedroom Tamahere property overlooking the Waikato River had been listed for sale with a price tag of $4.95 million.
The luxury home hit the market in February following court action against the owner, Hamilton plumber Mark Hughes.
According to a High Court judgment released in January, Hughes was given approval to sell the Riverfields Lane property in order to pay a $2.2m penalty. He had been earlier found guilty of “significant criminal activity” involving tax evasion and overcharging Kāinga Ora for repair work done by his firm, Jamark Plumbing.
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Vanessa Cook, acting national manager of MBIE Criminal Proceeds Integrity and Enforcement, told OneRoof Hughes had paid the fine in March before the court-imposed deadline.
Police first became aware of Hughes’ offending in 2020 and launched an investigation. It found that Hughes had, during his firm’s work for Kāinga Ora in the Waikato and King Country, added charges for work that was never completed, charged a higher rate than agreed, and failed to install products that met the housing provider’s specifications. Police said he had overcharged by more than $500,000.
The luxury home boasted a bespoke kitchen and scullery that looked out over the Waikato River. Photo / Supplied
A games room, bar and home theatre are just some of the impressive features. Photo / Supplied
The investigation also uncovered “wide-scale tax evasion”. Hughes deliberately avoided paying both personal and his company’s tax by carrying out cash jobs or engaging in untaxed bartering deals where he would swap plumbing work for services on his private houses to a value of $2.25m, which related to either undeclared income or unpaid tax.
In May 2021, the High Court granted an application for restraining orders to be placed on six of Hughes’ properties in New Zealand and Queensland in 2021. Three months later police applied for the forfeiture of each of the properties, but before the application was heard Hughes agreed to a settlement that involved him paying $2.2m.
Judge David Johnstone approved the settlement in the High Court in Auckland in December last year. He also granted Hughes permission to sell Riverfields Lane to cover the payment. Conditions of the sale stipulated the involvement of the police and the Official Assignee through the entire process, including their approval of the final sale price.
A heated pool and pool house are also part of the lifestyle property. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys listing agent Angela Finnigan, who sold the 5030sqm lifestyle property with colleague Amy Van Den Broek, was unable to comment on the sale when contacted by OneRoof, citing confidentiality agreements.
However, she confirmed the “great sale” on social media this week.
“A big congratulations to the new homeowners of Riverfields Lane and a heartfelt thank you to our vendors for their trust in us!” her Facebook post said.
Hughes declined to comment when approached by OneRoof.
Finnigan’s marketing highlighted the new-build property’s standout features, including its view of the Waikato River. “Nature inspired this home and its connection ensures every element captures views,” the listing on OneRoof said.
The five-bedroom pad also boasted a home theatre, games room, heated swimming pool and a pool house. The main listing photo carried badges showing the awards and nominations the house had won at the Registered Master Builders House of the Year contest in 2019.
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