Graeme Hart

$9.75 B

Ranked #350 in World

About Graeme Hart

New Zealand's wealthiest, Graeme Hart with a net worth of $9.7 billion, maintains a low-key media profile while dynamically amassing assets like Reynolds Packaging and Evergreen Packaging. His focus lies in revitalizing cash-positive, undervalued firms, particularly in paper packaging. His investment firm, Rank Group, has robust holdings in several industries. Through strategic acquisitions and sales, Hart continues to shape his extensive portfolio, extending his influence into the New Zealand food sector with Walter & Wild.

Born

June 06, 1955

Age

70 years

Source Of Wealth

Packaging

Industries

Finance & Investments

Citizenship

New Zealand

Residence

Auckland

Graeme Hart was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 3, 1955. He attended Mount Roskill Grammar School and later completed an MBA from the University of Otago in 1987. After leaving school at 16, he worked as a tow-truck driver and panel beater.

Graeme Hart: Family

Graeme Hart is married with two children. He has multiple residences in New Zealand, including in Auckland, Queenstown, and Waiheke Island. He also owns an island in Fiji and two properties in Aspen, Colorado, US.

Graeme Hart: Career Highlights

Graeme Hart's career highlights include:

Purchasing the Government Printing Office for less than its capital value in 1990.
Buying Whitcoulls Group in 1991, including a retail chain of bookstores and office and stationery concerns.
Acquiring Evergreen Packaging for NZ$725 million in 2006.
Buying Swiss packaging company SIG for NZ$3.2 billion in 2007.
Completing a US$450 million purchase of US paper packaging company Blue Ridge Paper Products in 2007.
Selling SIG to Onex Corporation in March 2015.
Completing a AU$1.6 billion takeover of the remaining 42% of Burns Philp in December 2006.
Selling Burn Philp's 20% stake in Goodman Fielder for NZ$675.8 million in October 2007.
Paying NZ$3.3 billion for Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) in 2006.
Selling CHH's Pulp, Paper & Packaging business to a Japanese consortium for NZ$1.037 billion in 2014.
Acquiring Alcoa (AA) Packaging & Consumer group for US$2.7 billion in 2008.
Combining packaging groups into Reynolds Group Holdings Limited (RGHL) in 2009 and 2010.
Acquiring Graham Packaging Company, Inc. for $25.50 per share in 2011.
Selling SIG to Onex Corporation in March 2015.

Graeme Hart: Companies

Graeme Hart's companies include:

Rank Group
Reynolds Consumer Products
Burns Philp
Carter Holt Harvey
Reynolds Packaging Group
Walter & Wild

Graeme Hart: Major Achievements

Graeme Hart's major achievements include:

Building a multi-billion dollar fortune through his investments in the packaging industry.

Becoming the wealthiest person in New Zealand.
Being inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2022.

Graeme Hart: Awards & Achievements

Graeme Hart has received numerous awards and achievements, including:

New Zealand Businessman of the Year in 2006.
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2007.
Honorary Doctorate of Commerce from the University of Otago in 2018.

Graeme Hart: Personal Life & Legacy

Graeme Hart is known for his private and low-profile lifestyle. He prefers to stay out of the media and makes few public appearances. He is a keen yachtsman and owns several luxury yachts. Hart is also a philanthropist and has made significant donations to various causes, including education and disaster relief.

Graeme Hart: Trivia

Some interesting facts about Graeme Hart include:

He is a qualified pilot and owns several aircraft.
He is a keen art collector and owns a significant collection of New Zealand art.
He is a member of the exclusive Bohemian Club in San Francisco.
He has been described as a "reclusive billionaire" and a "man of mystery".

Wealth History

Timeline

1965

Graeme Hart was born in Auckland, New Zealand.

1987

Hart completed an MBA from the University of Otago.

1990

Hart purchased the Government Printing Office for less than its capital value.

1991

Hart bought Whitcoulls Group, including a retail chain of bookstores and office and stationery concerns.

2004

Hart became the chairman of Burns Philp and completed a AU$1.6 billion takeover of the remaining 42% of the company.

2006

Hart paid NZ$3.3 billion for Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) and acquired Alcoa (AA) Packaging & Consumer group for US$2.7 billion, renaming it Reynolds Packaging Group.

2007

Hart completed a US$450 million purchase of US paper packaging company Blue Ridge Paper Products and sold Burn Philp's 20% stake in Goodman Fielder for NZ$675.8 million.

2008

Hart acquired Evergreen Packaging for NZ$725 million and bought Swiss packaging company SIG for NZ$3.2 billion.

2009

Hart combined packaging groups into Reynolds Group Holdings Limited (RGHL).

2010

Hart completed the combination of packaging groups into Reynolds Group Holdings Limited (RGHL).

2011

Hart acquired Graham Packaging Company, Inc. for $25.50 per share.

2014

Hart sold CHH's Pulp, Paper & Packaging business to a Japanese consortium for NZ$1.037 billion and completed the construction of his new 107-meter yacht in Norway.

2015

Hart sold SIG to Onex Corporation in March.

2017

Hart purchased a new 116-meter explorer yacht named "Ulysses".

2018

Hart and his son Harry became majority shareholders in Walter & Wild, a holding company specializing in New Zealand food brands. Hart also donated $10m to the University of Otago for a dental teaching facility.

2022

Hart donated tractors, fishing boats, and breakfast food to Tonga after the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai eruption and tsunami. He also donated over $58,000 to the mayoral campaign of Wayne Brown.

2023

Hart donated a total of NZ$700,000 to right-wing parties, including National, ACT, and NZ First, during the New Zealand general election.

Graeme Hart : FAQs

What is Graeme Hart's current net worth?

Graeme Hart's current net worth is $9.75 billion.

What is Graeme Hart's current global rank among billionaires?

Graeme Hart holds the 350th position globally among billionaires.

What is Graeme Hart's current ranking within the New Zealand?

Graeme Hart holds the 1st position in New Zealand.

What was the change in Graeme Hart's net worth compared to the previous year?

Graeme Hart's net worth increased by 666.07 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 9.08 billion dollars.

What is the recent change in Graeme Hart's net worth?

Graeme Hart's net worth decreased by 19.43 million dollars recently, a 0.2% decrease, with his net worth standing at 9.75 billion dollars.

What are Graeme Hart's main sources of wealth?

Graeme Hart's main source of income comes from Packaging.

In which industry does Graeme Hart primarily operate?

Graeme Hart is primarily involved in the Finance & Investments industry.

How old is Graeme Hart?

Graeme Hart is 70 years old.

How many children does Graeme Hart have?

Graeme Hart has 2 children.

What type of businesses does Graeme Hart focus on for his investments?

Graeme Hart focuses on buying underperforming and undervalued companies with steady cash flows, particularly favoring the paper packaging sector.

What are some key achievements in Graeme Hart's early career?

In his early career, Graeme Hart's significant moves included purchasing the Government Printing Office for less than its capital value in 1990 and acquiring Whitcoulls Group the following year.

How is Graeme Hart connected to Rank Group and its subsidiaries?

Graeme Hart's private investment company, Rank Group, is the 100% owner of businesses like Reynolds Consumer Products, Burns Philp, and Carter Holt Harvey, with significant transactions including the acquisition of Evergreen Packaging and Swiss packaging company SIG.

What are some of Graeme Hart's contributions to political campaigns and philanthropic efforts?

Graeme Hart has made considerable donations to political campaigns such as Wayne Brown's mayoral campaign and right-wing parties in New Zealand. Philanthropically, he has donated to causes like the University of Otago and relief efforts in Tonga.