Ownership of Paratiho changed in November 2009. A number of options regarding the future of the lodge are under review

“Paratiho” is now under new ownership and we are pleased to advise that the “Lodge” will reopen to guests in late 2010

a former British banking executive and his wife, Sir Keith and Lady Whitson) have sold their former home in Selkirk, Scotland and are currently in transition, moving their possessions to New Zealand. They intend to reside in New Zealand at this property indefinitely and reopen its exclusive lodge to paying guests. Sir Keith is probably not short of dough. He had a distinguished career with the HSBC Group, the world's largest independent bank and retired as chief executive 6 1/2 years ago.

The couple plan to be at the farm this Christmas and to reopen the lodge in time for next summer. "That is probably going to give us the time we need to find our feet."

Several lodge employees have continued working there since the change of ownership. The Whitsons plan to recruit "a really good lodge manager", who they hope will assemble a good team of staff.

The lodge has six private suites. It would continue to target the upper end of the market, Sir Keith said. "It's quite a major commitment for us to come this far. Obviously we thought about it very carefully and deeply before we took the plunge."