World’s billionaires are building bunkers here in NZ | What do they know that we don’t? | WATCH

PHOTO: FORBES

‘Doomsday prepping’ was once considered a hobby associated with the paranoid fringe, but last year, from April 2022 to April 2023, ordinary Americans spent a staggering $11 billion on survival items. Surveys indicate that about a third of US citizens admit to prepping, but few have the resources that today’s billionaire bunker-builders possess for their shelters.

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The world’s wealthiest individuals are increasingly investing hundreds of millions in securing underground compounds, private islands, and ‘survival condos.’ Mark Zuckerberg, for instance, is building a $100 million hidden fortress beneath his Hawaiian island ranch, complete with its own energy and food supplies and blast-resistant doors. Other billionaires, like Frank VanderSloot and Sam Altman, are also making similar preparations.

America’s wealthy flee Covid-19 epicentre for their New Zealand bunkers

However, the exact locations for these bunkers can be a matter of contention. In 2022, a local community council in New Zealand blocked plans by Peter Thiel to build a fortified lair near Lake Wanaka. New Zealand’s scenic beauty and isolation make it a popular choice for Silicon Valley elites anticipating global uncertainties.

Amid rising fears related to regional conflicts, climate change, and the aftermath of the pandemic, more people, especially from Generation Z, are engaging in doomsday prepping. A Finder survey revealed that Americans collectively spent $11 billion on prepping supplies in the past year, with 40 percent of those prepping belonging to Gen Z.

Based on an estimate by Wired, Zuck’s $270 million project will be one of the largest personal constructions of all time. Zuckerberg is pictured (left) with his wife of 11 years Priscilla Chan. Zuckerberg bought his 1,400-acre Koolau Ranch on the island of Kauai in 2014

Mark Zuckerberg’s $440m bunker | WATCH

The trend extends beyond the United States, with wealthy individuals from Silicon Valley and other parts of the world acquiring properties in New Zealand and other remote locations. These preparations involve not only securing physical shelters but also obtaining citizenship in different countries through ‘golden visas.’

For those interested in creating a well-stocked bunker for survival, essential items include water, non-perishable food, baby supplies (if applicable), medical supplies, hygiene products, cooking and eating utensils, lighting and power sources, clothing and bedding, entertainment items, emergency tools, communication devices, important documents, sanitation supplies, and pet supplies if applicable. Each family’s needs may vary, so customization is crucial.

SOURCE: THE DAILY MAIL