The company is owned by The Phoenix Trust, whose sole shareholder is Olliver.
The company has had a troubled history, facing controversy for owning the Whangaparāoa golf course, where locals are maintaining the grounds after it was shut to members.
![Property developer Greg Olliver.]()
Property developer Greg Olliver.
High debt and other liquidation proceedings have also brought the property to prominence.
The title to 180 Gulf Harbour Drive shows several encumbrances, including:
December 2024: K3 Legal registered a caveat;December 2024: K3 Legal registered a charging order/rating order;November, 2024: Watercare Services registered a charging order/rating order;August, 2023: Gold Band Finance registered a mortgage;November, 2022: Alpha First Securities registered a mortgage;July 2021: Capital Fund LP registered a caveat.
In 2024, Auckland Council sought $200,000-plus for post-fire demolition and disposal of the club’s ruins after a blaze.
More than 50 firefighters from across Auckland fought the blaze. Because the building was derelict, firefighters tackled it defensively from outside, using handheld hoses and two high-reach appliances.
The council had to meet costs in excess of $200,000 for engineering, demolition, disposal and security purposes. It wanted to be reimbursed in full for these actions.
Council chief executive Phil Wilson wrote to then banned company director Olliver and Bailey.
Asked last week if the council had got its money, a spokesman said: “As the matter is still before the courts, the council is unable to offer any comment on these proceedings.”
![The abandoned Gulf Harbour Country Club, where a group of locals called Keep Whangaparāoa Green Spaces is taking the club back by mowing and reclaiming all the overgrown fairways. Photo / Dean Purcell]()
The abandoned Gulf Harbour Country Club, where a group of locals called Keep Whangaparāoa Green Spaces is taking the club back by mowing and reclaiming all the overgrown fairways. Photo / Dean Purcell
Law firm Rice Speir is acting for the council.
Watercare also wants money.
Chief financial officer Angela Neeson said that on November 4, it got a charging order from the Auckland District Court over land owned by Long River Investments Corporation.
![Irish golfer Peter Lawrie putts on the 15th hole during round four of the New Zealand Open, held at the Gulf Harbour Country Club in 2006. Photo / NZPA, Wayne Drought]()
Irish golfer Peter Lawrie putts on the 15th hole during round four of the New Zealand Open, held at the Gulf Harbour Country Club in 2006. Photo / NZPA, Wayne Drought
That was in relation to the debt the company owed to Watercare, Neeson said.
“As a publicly funded organisation, we have a responsibility to ensure all customers meet their obligations. Charging orders are only sought after extensive efforts to resolve outstanding payments through our normal processes.”
![Locals now tend the club grounds to keep it more like it was when it was operating. Photo / Dean Purcell]()
Locals now tend the club grounds to keep it more like it was when it was operating. Photo / Dean Purcell
Two years ago, changes to the ex-golf course boundaries were sought.
In 2024, planner Tripp Andrews applied to Auckland Council for a boundary adjustment by Long River Investment Corporation.
The planners wanted the council to agree to the change without notification and without limited notification, meaning no submissions would be allowed from anyone who might consider themselves affected.
![Vandalism in and around the Gulf Harbour Country Club as at January 2024. Photo / Jason Dorday]()
Vandalism in and around the Gulf Harbour Country Club as at January 2024. Photo / Jason Dorday
Property records show that in late 2012, Long River Investments Corporation bought 180 Gulf Harbour Drive, which is where the country club is situated.
The purchase price was $12.8 million.
![Fire in 2024 destroyed buildings at the club. Photo / Hayden Woodward]()
Fire in 2024 destroyed buildings at the club. Photo / Hayden Woodward
In 2021, the Herald reported that it had been sold to an entity associated with Olliver.
Companies Office records showed Olliver had been appointed a director and his company – The Phoenix Trust – became the sole shareholder.
Long River was previously owned by Yi Li of Mt Eden.
Gulf Harbour has an 18-hole course that hosted the 1998 World Cup.
Boats stop at a marina and ferry passenger terminal that links to Tiritiri Matangi Island bird sanctuary and Auckland’s Downtown Ferry Terminal, which has been upgraded.
![Firefighters clean up at the Gulf Harbour Country Club in 2024. Photo / Corey Fleming]()
Firefighters clean up at the Gulf Harbour Country Club in 2024. Photo / Corey Fleming
Neighbouring residents have been maintaining the course for many years since it was shut to golfers.
Keep Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces is a community group which aims to preserve the open areas which were once the golf course.
The land surrounding the course was always intended for recreational use and is safeguarded by a 999-year encumbrance, Keep Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces says.
Anne Gibson has been the Herald‘s property editor for 25 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.
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