Waikato's adopted British aristocrat Henrietta, Dowager Duchess of Bedford, is the only woman in the top 10 in the National Business Review's Rich List.

The Duchess is worth an estimated $1 billion, according to NBR's 2012 list, released last night and ranks ninth.

The 72-year-old is a newcomer to the list despite having had residential property in Matamata for years.

A change in criteria this year has seen the inclusion of eight internationals who have significantly invested in New Zealand, and gained New Zealand residency.

"We thought that would spice the Rich List up a bit and provide people with a better idea of wealth in New Zealand," NBR editor-in-chief Nevil Gibson said.

The Duchess joins Matangi-born brothers Richard and Christopher Chandler in the top 10.

They are third and sixth respectively.

Richard has an estimated personal wealth of $5 billion, while Christopher has a more modest $1.5 billion.

The Duchess, one of only five women on this year's list, has had ties to Waikato since first arriving in the country with her late husband, Robin, Duke of Bedford, 20 years ago.

They bought the 120 hectare Bloomsbury Stud at Matamata, where they bred winners like Tavistock and Precedence.

The stud set a record New Zealand selling price for a broodmare in 2007, when South Auckland real estate king Don Ha bought Honor Lap for $825,000. Bloomsbury was sold for $10 million that year but the Duchess still has properties in Matamata and Parnell, in central Auckland.

The combined wealth of the list has increased from $45.2 billion in 2011 to $57.7 billion in 2012 with 10 Waikato listers contributing more than $8 billion. Waikato-born Sir Colin Giltrap now reportedly sits on $320 million, a $20 million increase on last year's number.

Sir Patrick Hogan has jumped, too, from $100 million last year to $110m.

Two entrepreneurial Waikato families return - the Gallagher family on $165 million and the Perry family, reportedly worth $90 million.

Te Awamutu-born Jacqui Mills and husband Phillip, chief executive of Les Mills International, are worth $90 million, as is Sky TV co-founder, former cricketer and horticultural investor Terry Jarvis.

Aluminium king Gilbert Ullrich has $75 million.

 

THE RICHEST

1. Alexander Abramov $7 billion

2. Graeme Hart $6 billion

3. Richard Chandler $5 billion

4. Julian Robertson $3 billion

5. Todd family $2.7 billion

6. Christopher Chandler $1.5 billion

6. William (Bill) Foley $1.5 billion

8. Eamon Cleary $1.2 billion

9. Dowager Duchess Henrietta Bedford $1 billion

10. Goodman family $950 million

- © Fairfax NZ News

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