Press Release – Sotheby’s International Realty Pepin Island a spectacular private island near Nelson has been sold to a New Zealand company after 26 years of international ownership. The 518-hectare property and working sheep farm was sold by real estate agency New Zealand Sothebys International … Pepin Island – a spectacular private island near Nelson – has been sold to a New Zealand company after 26 years of international ownership. The 518-hectare property and working sheep farm was sold by real estate agency New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty (NZSIR) earlier this month. Details of the sale price, vendor and purchaser remain confidential however it was multi-offer sale involving two NZ buyers.