He’s worth more than $4 billion. But New Zealand’s richest man Graeme Hart has yet to stump up $300 for illegal tree-felling on his Waiheke Island getaway.

Ranked above Donald Trump and Richard Branson on Forbes magazine’s 2008 richlist, Hart is “in negotiations” with the Auckland City Council over the environmental infringement fine issued last month.

A council spokesman confirmed inspectors had visited Church Bay Farm on Waiheke to investigate a complaint, and later fined the landowner.

An area of 1000sq m on Hart’s property, beside a public reserve and walkway, was cleared of bush containing protected native trees, according to complainant Ross Gillespie, of Walkways on Waiheke.

At least one native tree more than 3m high had been removed without consent, the council spokesman confirmed.

When asked if further action would be taken against Hart, he said the council was in “negotiations with the landowner” and could not comment further.

Hart did not return a call for comment but his farm manager reportedly said they were disputing the fine.

Hart owns the Church Bay property and a sprawling clifftop mansion in Auckland’s Glendowie – last month, the Herald on Sunday reported that Hart had hired dozens of workmen to gut that home in a million-dollar-plus revamp.

Hart and wife Robyn bought the Glendowie land in 1993 for $930,000 and built the house, believed to be New Zealand’s most valuable home, over several years.

According to Quotable Value, it was worth $20 million at the last review in 2005. The city council rates are $44,000.

The estate contains the main house, guest quarters, summer house, sleepout, pool, tennis court and spa.

Hart was the highest-placed New Zealander in Forbes magazine’s list of the top 40 richest Australasians.

He was third overall, with an estimated individual wealth of $4 billion, outranked only by James Packer, son of late media magnate Kerry, and Frank Lowy, a deli owner turned Westfield mall midas.

After leaving Mt Roskill Grammar aged 16 without any qualifications, Hart worked as a towtruck driver.

He completed an MBA at Otago University in 1987 while running Rank Group.

Last December he added to his international packaging empire with the purchase of American aluminium giant Alcoa’s packaging business.

As well as the Glendowie and Waiheke properties, Hart also owns a 58m yacht called Ulysses, worth about $124 million. The boat has seven staterooms to accommodate 14 guests, plus nine crew.

To read the original article click here.

Be Sociable, Share!

•