'I’m a billionaire in the memory bank'
And the famous actor who hung out in Roxburgh
A Kiwi who was aiming to go to space before he was bankrupted, claims he spent all of his money on life experiences.
‘’I’m a billionaire in the memory bank,’’ Makouri Scott, who is now based in Australia, said.
The former Dunedin artist who was now based in Australia was officially adjudicated bankrupt on April 23, 2012, the same month he was refunded USD$100,000 (NZ$162,000) from Virgin Galactic for the first space flight – spending almost all of it.
He took a case to the High Court at Dunedin over when he could be discharged from being a bankrupt –normally three years after providing a statement of claims – which he did in March 2021.
But last month the court dismissed his application.
Scott told Stuff that ‘’I’m a peaceful, respected international citizen and haven’t broken a single law’’.
He remained angry that BNZ had seized and sold his Careys Bay home, which was sold for $173,000, as he claimed it was worth $1,000,000.
You can read more about that here:
A most recent listing of that Slant St property said: ‘’Be the envy of friends and family by securing this incredible and seriously unique property with views to die for, situated high on the hill above Careys Bay, looking straight down Otago Harbour and just 5 minutes from the increasingly popular Port Chalmers’’.
That property sold on January 30, 2019 for $576,440.
A BNZ spokesperson said that it does not comment on individual customer, it was important to note ‘’that mortgagee sales are a last resort’’.
‘’We work with our customers to explore all available alternatives and only when all options have been exhausted are mortgagee sales considered.
The bank took its obligations seriously to obtain the best price possible price for these sorts of properties, including undertaking robust marketing campaigns.
In the court decision the bank had seized original artworks, miscellaneous household items and skis which later sold at auction for $3,114.80, but Scott told Stuff those items, which he alleged included artwork by the late Careys Bay resident, Ralph Hotere, was worth $500,000.
Scott claimed that some of his original paintings were selling for more than $300,000, and so he was not concerned with owing the BNZ less than half a million, due to the property’s worth.
He claimed he sold all of his art, not in New Zealand, but at registered London valuations.
“I will always create art. Art is what I do. Art is a cornerstone of civilisation.’’
Meanwhile, a previous claim that he owned an original Picasso, elicited a two-word response from Scott: “No comment’’.
One of his life lessons was that “You can’t eat money, so you might as well enjoy spending it on adventures’’.
He had travelled to over 50 countries, spent time surfing, diving, skiing and exploring, and “I always live simply and within my means’’.
That included travelling with just a tent and a hammock and choosing to stay with locals.
While his penchant for overseas travel was paid for by “bloody hard work’’.
Scott once had a USD$100,000 (NZ$162,000) ticket to board the first Virgin Galactic flight, and stated “I aim to be the first professional artist in space when, as a founding 100 member, Virgin Galactic takes off in 2011’’.
“My seat is booked, and I'm ready for take off.’’
Scott, when asked if he was disappointed to have refunded that ticket, said he still had plans to take his art into space.
“I’m still far more interested in orbiting the moon rather than a quick, albeit rather exciting 45 minutes blast into sub orbit with Virgin Galactic, so you’re back in time for morning tea.’’
ICYMI I published a story on Stuff about conspiracy theorists hijacking a council workshop, sounds like a concerning development.
Otago Peninsula community board chair Paul Pope, who has been involved with local government for three decades, said: “I’ve never seen such poor behaviour in a meeting.”
“I was not impressed seeing staff being abused by members of the public, who were clearly there for an agenda.’’
There appears to be a growing disconnect with people, and it will take years to heal: if at all.
Meanwhile, my inbox was stuffed with emails like the below:
Can you please explain what a “conspiracy theorist” is and how it relates to these people at the council meeting?
The UN Agenda 2030(Agenda 21 a bit behind the times Hamish) has been implemented in force by Jacinda Ardern since she claimed in 2019 at the Gates(Bill & Melinda) Goalkeepers Conference in New York, that NZ will be the first country in the world to implement the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals throughout Govt policy. e.g. LGNZ.
You have taken an extreme slant on these people and probably the World Economic Forum(WEF) stance on population reduction & branded it to these people, when they are actually really standing up to keeping democracy and not a one world government that is being promoted by these elite un elected people of global organisations such as the UN & WEF. Yes they made a partnership agreement in 2019.
With every council signed up to the UN’S 17 SDG’s, can you tell me what is a “conspiracy theory” about this?
Or are you just another “Stuffed” reporter that are the biggest form of mis & dis-information of news in NZ?
You got me.
Today I was busy following the P.M around. Sometimes these things can be hit or miss. Unless there is a specific policy announcement, there often isn’t a lot to cover apart from ‘smile and wave’ opportunities.
But it was good to have a look around Hillside. It is a massive site.
I quite like this pic, with Hipkins looking like he has robot arms.
This is what the site will look like at a later date.
The most interesting part of the visit was the hour Hipkins spent talking to University of Otago students on a diverse range of topics.
It was interesting for me to contrast his visit with that of Jacinda Ardern when she was vying to be the Prime Minister. For one, he encountered protests and was bolstered by a larger police presence.
But he does know his stuff, quite possibly because he was handed almsot every portfolio under Ardern.
It will be a fascinating election.
I know a lot of people have been talking about Succession this week, particularly the end of show featuring characters we love to hate.
My favourite character was Tom, who was played by great British actor Matthew MacFadyen, who in one episode muttered the immortal line to his partner (the awful Shiv):
‘‘Let’s go and be sheep farmers in New Zealand!”
Indeed.
But did you know he once starred in a New Zealand film shot in Otago, particularly Roxburgh?
That movie was In My Father’s Den.
You can watch a bit of it here.
There has been an interesting development for the Coastal Communities Cycle Connection, which is looking at routes for the proposed shared pathways to connect the coastal communities north of Dunedin.
The report recommends prioritising safe connections between Waikouaiti-Karitāne and Warrington-Waitati, as the only current option for riding/walking between these communities is via SH1.
Five sections of trail are described in the report. Section 1: Waikouaiti to Karitāne. • Section 2: Karitāne to Warrington • Section 3: Warrington to Evansdale. • Section 4: Evansdale to Waitati. • Section 5: Waitati to Port Chalmers (which connects to Dunedin via the Harbour Cycleway).
The key part notes that the rail bridge over the Waikouaiti River is currently being replaced, and adding a clip-on pedestrian bridge (costing approximately $1M) could help the project.
The report is available on the Dunedin Tracks Network Trust website, or just click on it below.
I taught in Roxburgh in the late 70's. Everything that the author wrote about Dark Secrets was true. The local doctor took his life at Lovers Leap such was the impact of the female patients who shared their horrid lives.
Oh wow, it's the story that keeps on giving!