One of New Zealand's better-known immigrants, singer Shania Twain, says she has a broken heart after splitting with her husband, record producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange.
"I am going through a rough time personally in my life," she told fans on her website today.
" I wanted you all to know that I could not be getting through this without you."
Fan letters, emails and words of encouragement reminded her to smile, "no matter how deep the pain".
"I have so much to say but ... the best way for me to speak is through my music," she said. "This is my therapy, my passion, and my love".
"I need some time to heal this broken heart but make no mistake; I will be back".
Twain, 42, did not say how she and Lange, 59, were dividing their South Island high country mansion near Wanaka and the 33-year leases to Motatapu and Mt Soho stations which cost the couple $21.4 million.
The couple moved to 25,000ha of rugged and scenic high-country land between Arrowtown and Wanaka after selling their Swiss chateau, Chateau de Sully, in La Tour-de-Peilz was to a Russian couple.
But they still own a small residence in Corseaux, Switzerland, though Twain is reported to have been staying with family in Canada.
Twain and Lange split up shortly after gifting a 29km easement of track across Motatapu, and huts, to New Zealand's 2100km Te Araroa walking trail.
If a divorce settlement forces the sale of their NZ land, the Department of Conservation has said the deal to allow public access to the Motatapu track will remain because the couple signed a legally binding agreement.
Twain met Lange in 1993 when they collaborated on her first hit album The Woman In Me. They have a six-year-old son, Eja.
