Seven Irish multi-millionaires appear on New Zealand’s annual Rich List, just published by a leading business magazine.
The wealthiest is Eamon Cleary of Ballybay (£140m); who has extensive farming and commercial property interests several countries.
A former cowherd from Raphoe, 75-year-old Hugh Green (£95m) left home to work in Scottish hydro tunnels before marking his fortune in construction, property development and farming in New Zealand.
Nigel McKenna, from Longford, laboured, washed dishes and pumped gas to provide for his family back home. Recently he got the go-ahead for a £150m Alpine resort development.
Worth £40m, James Kirkpatrick grew up in Belfast. A working and fitness fanatic, the property developer has no plans to step down at 76. His Iranian wife is 33.
Bernard McCahill (£23m) from Donegal left home at 21 to labour in Britain before establishing one of New Zealand’s most successful construction and farming partnerships.
Hollywood actor and South Island wine maker Sam Neill (£20m) sneaks in by accident because he was actually born in Omagh.
An apprentice printer from Belfast inner suburb Barry McCollum expanded his own printing company just north of Auckland over many years and sold it, plus prime seaside residential property, to put him on £20m.
