Mikhail Khimich, one of New Zealand’s wealthiest and most well-known part-time residents, abruptly vanished, leaving the iconic Waiwera Thermal Pools in liquidation and $5 million in debt. Now, according to sources, he died in Russia, allegedly with Covid-19 and preexisting illness
Khimich, who owns the Waiwera thermal pools and water brand, has made a name for himself as a generous benefactor of New Zealand sport and a regular at glitzy openings and events since gaining residency in 2013.
However, the alleged billionaire fled the country quietly in 2018, delaying a drink-driving trial and leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid donations to cycling and football, as well as upwards of $5 million in debts to other creditors.
Waiwera Thermal owed KiwiBank $1.29 million in unpaid loans, as well as upwards of $3 million to other creditors, according to a report from liquidators Staples Rodway, after Waiwera Water New Zealand and two sister companies, Waiwera Thermal Resort and Waiwera Global, all owned by Khimich, collapsed.