In addition to rewarding beneficiaries, the Wi Pere Trust provides educational scholarships to whānau to develop future leaders for the next generation.
Critics argue big money skews democracy but Act leader David Seymour points out the parties with money don’t always win elections.
The past year hasn’t been the kindest to NZ’s well-heeled, but there are also stories of ambitious growth.
Look out for the debutantes in this year’s ranking of wealth creators – the tech founders, the savvy investors, and those who’ve flown under the radar.