Three of New Zealand's wealthiest people have ties to Wairarapa - although none live here full time.
Winemaker Bill Foley, along with film-makers James Cameron and Sir Peter Jackson have been named on the NBR rich list. Mr Foley, with a wealth of $1.5 billion, and Mr Cameron, $900 million,made the list following NBR's decision to include foreign investors in the list for the first time.
Sir Peter, whose wealth is listed at $500 million, has been on the list before.
Mr Foley made his money from the United States specialist property and finance industries, the rich list said, although he also owns vineyards in New Zealand and California. He is also owner of Wharekauhau Country Estate luxury lodge in South Wairarapa, where he stays on his New Zealand visits.
Mr Cameron, a well-known Hollywood director, this year bought two separate parcels of farmland not far from Mr Foley's lodge in South Wairarapa.
He has told the Overseas Investment Office that he and his family plan to live in New Zealand indefinitely.
Despite being listed by NBR as a Wellingtonian, Sir Peter and his wife Fran Walsh own an estate near Masterton and are known to spend a lot of time in the area.
South Wairarapa mayor Adrienne Staples said despite Mr Foley and Mr Cameron not living full time in the district, they still made a valuable contribution.
She said Mr Foley had already invested money in developing Wharekauhau and was also investing in a Martinborough vineyard he owned, Te Kairanga.
"Any capital investment made in the area is a good thing."
Mr Cameron was also doing his bit for the area, she said, not only employing local people but also spending money in the district on the farmland he had bought there.
"On top of that it raises the profile of the district, both in the rest of New Zealand and around the world," she said.
NBR editor-in-chief Nevil Gibson said international members on this year's list reflected the globalisation of wealth. New members had invested parts of their fortunes in New Zealand or had substantial assets that gave them residency rights.
