Noel Edmonds and his wife Liz swapped life in the United Kingdom for New Zealand in 2018, buying a luxurious 800-acre estate as they plan to open a retreat, vineyard and pub, but not all has been plain sailing
Noel Edmonds and his wife Liz were forced to flee their New Zealand home(Image: ITV)
Noel Edmonds and his wife Liz were forced to flee their New Zealand home after a terrifying ordeal. The former Deal or No Deal presenter quit life in the United Kingdom and moved to New Zealand in 2018.
He bought the 800-acre River Haven estate in a bid to open up a retreat, a vineyard, and a pub, known as the Bugger Inn. His move has been documented in Noel’s Kiwi Adventure, the programme a return to television for Noel, who has largely been absent from screens since appearing in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2018.
The former Swap Shop star has however encountered some snags as he adjusts to life in New Zealand. The second episode of the show saw Noel concede he was “haemorrhaging money” on the project.
Noel has also encountered some difficulties with the harsh weather of New Zealand. In particular Noel has had to adjust to the earthquakes in the Southern Hemisphere.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: “You get landslips. And the sun? It’ll burn you within ten minutes in the peak season. Oh, and earthquakes. We’ve had three.
Noel Edmonds has encountered some challenges moving to New Zealand(Image: ITV)
“During the first one, we were sitting outside with a glass of wine, and I noticed the surface of the wine rippling. That was a mild one.
“The biggest one really shook the house — the cutlery drawer rattled, and Liz and I each grabbed a dog and ran outside.”
Noel says he “luckily” managed to get through the earthquake without any damage at River Haven. And it’s not only the earthquakes the star has had to adapt to.
The TV presenter admits the rain in New Zealand is unlike anything he had experienced living in Devon. He says that while he would get “drizzle” living on the English coast, he is now adjusting to “tropical rain” in New Zealand.
Noel relocated to New Zealand with wife Liz(Image: ITV)
Noel has also found the weather has an impact on his business. Speaking on the show, he said: “When you come to New Zealand, you change your view about your relationship between the weather and the economy.”
He continued: “We’re haemorrhaging money at the moment because you have to take staff on in anticipation of the guests coming. We’re going to have to have a spectacular November and December to balance the books.”
It has left Noel, 76, wondering whether the work he has done at River Haven will be able to sustain him throughout his life. He said: “New Zealand is a great place to come to but it’s not the easiest place to set up a business.
“We’ve done a fascinating thing with the River Haven adventure. Will it be the move that sustains us for years to come? Watch this space!”
Noel’s Kiwi Adventure returns on ITV One tonight at 9pm. This week fans will watch as Liz and Noel battle against frost damage.