Controversial billionaire Peter Thiel claimed in a citizenship application that if his unusual request was granted he would tell the world he was a New Zealander. peterthiel.jpg His application for citizenship was supported by letters of reference from prominent technology industry locals and business partners of Mr Thiel’s. Mr Thiel, worth $3.7 billion according to Forbes, became famous for co-founding Pay-Pal, rich from investing early in Facebook, and has invested tens of millions of dollars in local businesses. His application for citizenship was supported by letters of reference from prominent technology industry locals — and business partners of Mr Thiel’s — Sam Morgan and Rod Drury. The department said fewer than one in 1000 citizenship ceremonies took place in a private ceremony overseas, as Mr Thiel’s did in August 2011 at the New Zealand consulate in Santa Monica.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 01, 2017 19:20 UTC