Disgraced former “Today” present host Matt Lauer is being accused by animal rights activists of alleged abuse — at a sheep farm that operates at his New Zealand luxurious hideaway, The Submit has discovered.
Lauer bought the 16,000-acre unfold on the South Island for greater than $9 million in 2017 — simply months earlier than he was booted from the morning present after a number of ladies accused him of sexual harassment and rape.
He has leased a bit of the land to sheep farmers within the nation, which is a serious participant within the world wool commerce. Lauer just isn’t concerned with the operation of the farm, known as Hunter Valley Farming.
An undercover investigation by Individuals for the Moral Therapy of Animals into the Asia-Pacific wool business claims sheep at Hunter Valley Farming appeared to get struck, with some needing stitches, through the shearing course of, based on a grisly video the animal rights group shared with The Submit.
“Matt Lauer’s New Zealand getaway is hell for scared sheep who are flung about, pinned down and cut up,” PETA President Ingrid Newkirk informed The Submit.
“PETA wants Lauer to wash his hands of the bloody wool business.”
Lauer, who was by no means charged and denied all allegations that led to his dismissal from NBC, reportedly bought his $44 million residence within the Hamptons in 2022, partly so he might spend extra time at his New Zealand residence.
His property — often known as Hunter Valley Station and positioned about two hours north of Queenstown — features a “five-bedroom, lakefront homestead” and boasts gorgeous views of the Southern Alps mountain vary, based on a Sotheby’s itemizing.
A spokesperson for Lauer stated he had “absolutely no knowledge of any alleged problems at his property” till The Submit reached out for remark.
“(Lauer) was deeply disturbed and saddened to hear of what allegedly has happened, and immediately launched his own investigation of his tenant’s operations, which is currently underway,” the rep informed The Submit, including that PETA has by no means contacted him with any complaints.
“When all the facts are known, he will take immediate and appropriate actions.”
New Zealand, which has extra sheep than folks, is the third largest wool producer on this planet. It produces so-called ZQ-certified wool, which is marketed as “the world’s leading ethical wool brand.”
Main client manufacturers together with Allbirds, Smartwood and Loro Piana use ZQ-certified merino wool, based on PETA.
PETA acknowledged that it didn’t contact Lauer concerning the alleged abuse on the farm.
“When we notify companies and individuals implicated in our investigations, their usual reaction is to deny, deflect, and downplay the cruelty uncovered,” a PETA spokesperson informed The Submit.
“Publicly releasing undercover investigations before notifying implicated parties, like Mr. Lauer, holds them responsible and makes it impossible for them to ignore the cruelty they have the power to stop.”
Digby Cochrane and his, spouse Hannah, have operated Hunter Valley Farming for many years. The household stated that Lauer has reached out to them prior to now week to debate PETA’s allegations.
“At shearing time we employ independent shearing contractors, to shear the sheep, who work in accordance with New Zealand industry accepted guidelines and practices,” the Cochranes stated in an announcement to The Submit.
Lauer’s slice of paradise additionally options mountain climbing trails and rustic rental lodges, an angus cattle farm and is the one thoroughfare to Hawea Conservation Park alongside Lake Hawea, which is stocked with salmon and trout.
Lauer’s $9.2 million lease settlement to amass the property required him to take a position $1.2 million into infrastructure for farm operations over 5 years and one other $400,000 to clear and fertilize land for meals, for any future enhance within the cattle inventory.
Hunter Valley was amongst 11 farms PETA investigators labored at through the previous yr, securing video footage and taking detailed notes which might be a part of a 48-page notarized affidavit, which was shared with The Submit.
“The horrific abuse that was documented at Hunter Valley is typical across wool operations,” PETA’s Jacqu Sadashige, supervisor of company duty informed The Submit.
PETA’s report on Hunter Valley Farming included descriptions of sheep allegedly being reduce through the shearing course of as they wrestle with handlers. Different alleged incidents concerned the animals being lifted off the bottom and dropped onto the onerous flooring, after which shoved by way of a shoot that results in their pen.
“Sheep are routinely hit, beaten in the face, and stitched up with needle and thread with no pain medication.”
