Denis Mackenzie founded CSG Ltd. in 1984 and built it into one of Australia’s leading IT services companies.
In March 2017, news broke that New Zealand’s richest man, Graeme Hart, had purchased a stunning six-bedroom holiday home in Queenstown for a whopping $24 million. The property, located at exclusive Closeburn Station, was the first residential property deal in the resort to break the eight-figure mark. The purchase added to the already extensive list of high-value assets owned by the packaging tycoon in recent years.
According to reports, Hart’s new Queenstown pad was built for the family trust of Brisbane businessman Denis Mackenzie, who founded IT company CSG Ltd. The property was designed by prominent Auckland architect Lawrence Sumich, who worked closely with Mackenzie to create a resort-style retreat that would allow him to share the beauty of Queenstown with his family and friends.
The house itself is an opulent affair, with a footprint of 746 square metres and boasting five chimney stacks, formal avenues of exotic and native trees, and a sculpture garden. There is a 26sq m loggia between the main dwelling and the spa building, as well as a 180m long driveway that leads to the property. The spa building itself is 144sq m and includes a gym, relaxation area, indoor and outdoor spa, sauna, and bathroom.
The house was completed by local builder Triple Star in December 2015, after a 12-month build period. Luxury Real Estate NZ agent Terry Spice is believed to have brokered the sale of the property to Hart. Spice also brokered the purchase of the site by an Australian family in 2012, for a price tag of $2.85 million – the most expensive section ever sold in Queenstown at that time.
Denis Mackenzie founded CSG Ltd. in 1984 and built it into one of Australia’s leading IT services companies. The firm listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in 2007 and was acquired by Japanese telecoms giant NEC Corporation in 2012 for $227.5 million. At the time of the sale, Mackenzie said he was proud of what he had achieved with CSG and that the company had been “part of [his] life for 28 years.” He added that he was looking forward to “new challenges” in the future.
Denis Mackenzie’s sale of the Closeburn Station property in Queenstown was not his only high-value transaction in recent years. In 2015, he sold a luxurious Gold Coast penthouse for $5.75 million – a record price for a Gold Coast apartment. The property was located in the iconic Soul building and featured four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and 490sq m of living space spread over two levels.
Despite his successful business career and high-value property transactions, Mackenzie has remained relatively private in the public eye. Little is known about his personal life or his plans for the future. However, given his track record of success in business and his ability to create stunning properties like the Closeburn Station retreat, it seems likely that he will continue to make an impact in the years to come.
In conclusion, Graeme Hart’s purchase of a $24 million holiday home in Queenstown may have made headlines in March 2017, but the story behind the property is equally fascinating. Built for the family trust of Brisbane businessman Denis Mackenzie, who founded IT company CSG Ltd, the house is a testament to Mackenzie’s success in business and his ability to create stunning properties. While Mackenzie may have sold the property to Hart, his legacy lives on in the form of the retreat he helped to create – a resort-style home that will be enjoyed by Hart and his family for years to come.
Denis Mackenzie CSG is an Executive Director at ROKI Collection, a full-time position he has held since July 2019. ROKI Collection is based in Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand. In addition, he is also a Director at Lynden Investment Group Pty Ltd, a family investment company with interests in property development and investments in Brisbane, Darwin, and Queenstown. Denis has been with Lynden Investment Group since 1996.
Denis holds a BCom (Hons) degree from The University of Queensland and completed his education at St Peters Lutheran College in Brisbane. His skills include strategy and corporate finance, among others, and he has received several endorsements for these skills.
Denis Mackenzie is connected to 156 people in the Greater Brisbane Area, and he has 159 followers on the platform. His recent activity on the platform is not available, and his recent posts and comments would be displayed in the “Activity” section. He is also interested in following top voices, companies, newsletters, and schools on LinkedIn. One of the people he follows is Ray Dalio, the Founder, CIO Mentor, and Member of the Bridgewater Board, who has over 2.6 million followers on the platform.