Graeme Hart has topped the National Business Review's Rich List with a $9 billion empire - up $2 billion on last year.
Graeme Hart Photo: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Mr Hart's international fortune was built up largely in the packaging business.
Among the assets that empire has brought the boy who left school at 16 and who once worked as a tow-truck driver are a $30 million cliff-top mansion in Auckland and an island in Fiji.
In November, he reportedly ordered a new 117m superyacht to add to a fleet which also includes 107m and 77m superyachts.
Mr Hart's wealth was a cool $5 billion ahead of the second-placed rich-lister, Richard Chandler, while the Todd family came in third on the list with $3.16 billion.
Other New Zealanders with wealth in the billions are the Erceg family ($1.6 billion), Michael Friedlander ($1.4 billion), Christopher Chandler ($1.3 billion) and the Goodman family ($1.26 billion).
A total of 184 individuals and families with a combined wealth of more than $55 million are on the list - which has an entry level of $50 million.
Among the newcomers to the list is yachtie Sir Russell Coutts, who the NBR said was reputed to be New Zealand's highest-paid sportsman with a $13 million annual salary from Oracle Team USA. He also has a multi-million property portfolio.
Telecommunications entrepreneur Annette Presley is also new to the list.
