Bob Jones becomes NZ’s ninth billionaire
WELLINGTON: Property investor Sir Bob Jones is New Zealand’s newest billionaire, one of nine in this country, according to the latest NBR Rich List.
Sir Bob is said to have doubled his fortune during six years. The 2019 NBR Rich List has estimated Jones’ net worth at about $1 billion, up from $860 million last year, but he trailed businessman Graeme Hart, the first Kiwi to hit the $10 billion mark.
The list says New Zealand now has nine billionaires and five billionaire families.
A total of almost $90 billion in homegrown wealth is chronicled in the new publication, up from $81 billion last year.
Newcomers are Westgate chairman and founder Mark Gunton, estimated to have $210 million, the Murphy family with its retirement village interests, Wellington property investors Ian Cassels and partner Caitlin Taylor, David McAlpine, of Kea Property Group, and the Paterson family, heirs to late Otago businessman Howard Paterson, with property interests.
The Mowbray siblings were reported to have expanded their Zuru toy company and are worth about $3 billion. The Pye family, with lucrative agribusiness ventures, are believed to be worth about $1 billion.
Property investor Sir Paul Adams, Mainfreight chairman Bruce Plested and financier Murray Bolton increased their net worth by more than 30%, along with the Goodman and Watson families.
Only 2% of last year’s NBR Rich Listers have seen their fortunes fall over the past year.
Arrow International founders Ron Anderson and Bob Foster saw their building company fall victim to issues in the sector.
Sir Michael Hill’s jewellery chain was also affected and his fortune is estimated to have fallen by $50 million to $230 million. Two people left the list: Eric Watson and Sir Graeme Avery.
In the South, the Fulton family with their Dunedin civil construction company came in first at $450 million. Invercargill’s Richardson family, who have property, tourism and transport interests, were valued at $330 million, while former Mainland Poultry coowner Michael Guthrie was valued at $250 million.
The Skeggs family was assessed at $195 million, Sir Eion Edgar and family at $150 million and Sir John Davies at $140 million.
Skyline Enterprises founder Barry Thomas was estimated at $135 million and North Otago’s Hurst family, with its interests in aged care, child care and farming, was at $140 million.
The Dippie family was on the list at $110 million, while Sir Julian and Nick Smith, with the Otago Daily Times and numerous other media interests, were valued at $80 million.
42 Below Vodka founder Geoff Ross was valued at $75 million.
South Canterbury dairy farmers Dave and Karen Ellis were valued at $85 million and pioneering Twizel dairy farmer Doug McIntyre was valued at $60 million.