Hunter, Fyfe hottest businesspeople

BY AARON LIM

Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe and entrepreneur Sharon Hunter are New Zealand's hottest businessman and businesswoman, according to Stuff readers.

Fyfe and Hunter comfortably won the respective male and female polls run by BusinessDay this week.

"I am absolutely flattered," Hunter said.

"It was a great piece of fun journalism, and no-one should take it too seriously. No harm can come from a poll like this."

And Fyfe, dealing with a strike by unionised staff at the national carrier's subsidiary Zeal yesterday, told BusinessDay the poll was very amusing.

Fyfe said he was surprised by the strength of the voting, but wondered if there was some generosity in the voting from Air New Zealand staff. 

Fyfe secured 42 percent of the votes for most handsome businessman.

"Certainly the poll was responsible for a string of very funny texts and emails ribbing me throughout the day."  

A former Royal New Zealand Air Force officer, Fyfe said he would be appearing in the next Air New Zealand ad campaign, which will be revealed on Sunday night. 

"When I say revealed, I mean literally, and it may see a few people change their votes!"

 It seems unlikely though that Stuff readers will change their minds about Fyfe in a uniform, regardless of whether it is an Air NZ or RNZAF outfit.

One reader told us "Rob is quite clearly the hottest looking businessman in NZ and possibly the world. Those of you who do not agree are just plain jealous."

Hunter, co-founder of PC Direct, gained an even bigger mandate for her title as New Zealand's most attractive businesswoman with 57 percent of votes cast.

"With so much negative commentary around the economy at the moment, anything that is endeavouring to generate optimism like the Stuff.co.nz poll has to be a good thing," Hunter said.

One reader said of Hunter: "Sharon's a shining example to women with brains (and beauty) that the sky is the limit. She swam to the top in an ocean filled with testosterone and that accomplishment deserves recognition and respect."

Glassons managing director Di Humphries came in second behind Hunter with 13.9 percent of the votes. Fashion designer Karen Walker was third with 13.2 percent.

Nicky Ellingham, chief financial officer at juice maker Charlie's Group, wasn't far behind, pulling in 11.2 percent of the votes.

Josephine Grierson followed in fifth place, with 4.5 percent, possibly upstaged by her daughter's appearance on NZ's Next Top Model.

In the blokes' poll former Black Caps wicketkeeper Adam Parore, who now runs a mortgage brokerage, came in second with 19.3 percent of votes. British-based Hanover Finance co-owner Eric Watson polled third with 15.7 percent.

Brent Smart, managing director of advertising agency Colenso BBDO, wasn't too far behind Eric with 15.3 percent of the votes.

Mark Weldon, CEO of sharemarket operator NZX and a former Olympic swimmer, came in fifth with 7.3 percent. But not all readers were happy with Weldon missing the medal podium.

"Give me Mr Mark Weldon any day of the week!," one admirer said.

Readers posted dozens of comments featuring both criticism and support for the concept of the polls and suggesting people we should have included in the polls.

A total of 2661 people voted in the hottest businesswoman poll with 2254 people voting for the hottest businessman.

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