Does Matt Lauer have a farm in New Zealand? PETA accuses former Today show host’s property of animal abuse

A new controversy has erupted for Matt Lauer, as the former Today show host has been accused of animal abuse. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia has shared a new video of an undercover investigation around sheep farms in New Zealand. The clip revealed atrocities being done to the non-human subjects allegedly at Matt Lauer's property, Hunter Valley Station.

For the unversed, the morning talk show host had bought the 16,000-acre property in New Zealand. The purchase was reportedly made months before Lauer's ouster from NBC in the wake of s*x misconduct and r*pe allegations. After leaving TV journalism, Lauer settled in New Zealand in 2017 while reportedly selling his Hamptons estate in May 2022 after years of listing.

While he doesn't own a farm, Matt Lauer has reportedly leased a portion of his NZ property to sheep farmers. After the allegations of animal abuse were made public, a representative of Lauer spoke to the New York Post,

"(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."

They added,

"When all the facts are known, he will take immediate and appropriate actions."

Lauer's representative also made it clear that no one from PETA Asia's team reached out to the ex-morning show anchor regarding the animal abuse complaints.

Atrocities captured in video of sheep farm on Matt Lauer's NZ property

The short video clip shared by PETA depicted atrocities being done on sheep by the alleged workers. Sheep were being dragged, badly cut during shearing, stepped on, and were subject to other cruel practices, as claimed by PETA. Here's what PETA Asia has claimed through its investigation into the sheep farm at Hunter Valley Station,

"This sheep-abusing farm is on a property owned by former NBC host Matt Lauer. PETA Asia investigated Lauer's Hunter Valley Station, in New Zealand, and uncovered extreme cruelty. A worker badly cut this sheep [shown in video] during shearing, and while he stitched up the wound without pain relief, another worker mopped up the blood with her wool."

The video further targeted the ZQ wool certification by calling it a "sham,"

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"Wool production is a bloody business, and wool from Lauer's property is literally soaked in it. Like many others PETA has exposed, this wool is marketed as 'ethical' through a sham certification called ZQ."

With its exposé video, PETA has attacked ZQ-certified wool production, otherwise considered 'sustainable.' For the uninitiated, it is claimed that ZQ-certified wool is produced while considering environmental standards and animal welfare while avoiding mulesing. PETA Asia has also released another investigative video showcasing the alleged cruelty of New Zealand' ZQ' wool production.

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