Hawke's Bay technology businessman Rod Drury has made his debut on the National Business Review's Rich List this year.
Mr Drury's family trust is the biggest shareholder in accounting software company Xero, and he was recently appointed a director of NZX Ltd.
The Rich List estimated Drury's fortune at $50 million, ranking
him as the country's 52nd= wealthiest person.
Mr Drury joked that becoming a rich lister would make it impossible for him to get discounts anywhere anymore.
He said he was proud to be building a global business from New Zealand and hoped it would encourage other entrepreneurs.
Most of the up and coming rich listers - people who don't yet make the list's $50 million net asset cutoff mark - are also in the IT and technology space.
Rich List report commentary said: "We know Kiwis are good at this, so the challenge is to create a society and economic environment where these people want to stay in New Zealand and contribute to the country's future."
Other Bay families and individuals also made the list, including the Lowe and Cushing clans. Both are estimated to be worth $100 million and ranked 40th=. Sileni Estate chief executive Graeme Avery, a regular fixture on the list, is estimated to be worth $55 million, and ranked 50th=.
But Mr Avery said being on the list was of no consequence to him. "It's what you do, rather than what you have," Mr Avery said.
The fortunes of rich listers in the wine sector have suffered this year, with the wine glut taking its toll on prices and sales figures.
Graeme Hart (packaging) topped the list with his $5.5 billion fortune. The Todd Family (energy, investment) was second at $2.7b with Eamon Clearly (property) third at $2b. Lynette Erceg is the country's richest woman, worth $1.5b.
