Kiwi property magnate steps into Donald Trump's TV role

NBR Rich Lister Terry Serepisos has been named to assume the role of Donald Trump in the local version of reality TV show The Apprentice.

Both are flamboyant property owners and developers, albeit on a contrasting scale. Mr Serepisos, 46, was valued at $140 million on this year’s Rich List, based on several audits the NBR requested.

He is reported elsewhere to own property, mainly in the Wellington central business district, valued at $450 million.

TVNZ announced the selection on TV One’s Close Up current affairs programme and said several well known business figures had been auditioned.

Mr Serepisos told the show he admired Trump, who pioneered the show about aspiring entrepreneurs: "He's the man, without a doubt. He's a very successful and a very creative man."

Like the original show, one of the aspirants will be fired each week, while the winner of will be employed at one of Mr Serepisos' companies for a six-figure salary.

Filming of the show will start on November 14 in Wellington where Mr Serepisos will attend the New Zealand All Whites' playoff match against Bahrain for entry into the World Cup in South Africa next year.

Mr Serepisos is the backer of the Wellington-based Phoenix team, which plays in the Australasian soccer league.

TVNZ says about 1500 applied for the show's 14 competitors' slots.