Who is Sean Colgan, the man who lent Act a plane?

Who is Sean Colgan, the man who lent Act a plane?
Sean Colgan, rowing enthusiast, gypsum magnate, and lender of planes to David Seymour. (Image: Colgan Foundation website)
Pattrick Smellie
Until Monday, hardly anyone in New Zealand knew about a wealthy, richly moustached Pennsylvanian living part of each year in Hawke’s Bay called Sean Colgan.The man who has lent his private plane to Act leader David Seymour doesn’t generally seek the limelight. When BusinessDesk caught up with him briefly last night, he had just arrived in El Salvador where he's visiting a prison release programme his charitable foundation supports.His only NZ media appearance appears to have been telling Radio NZ that he objected to Napier airpo...

More Editor's Picks

PGG Wrightson’s now-former chair ‘gobsmacked’
Primary Sector

PGG Wrightson’s now-former chair ‘gobsmacked’

Garry Moore’s dumping appears to have come out of left field.

Riley Kennedy 15 Oct 2025
'Meth' ministry moves: staffing data sought for four-way merger
Infrastructure

'Meth' ministry moves: staffing data sought for four-way merger

Work is progressing on a four-ministry merger with the pejorative nickname ‘Meth’.

Dileepa Fonseka 14 Oct 2025
Rare Returns: the state of NZ’s red meat sector
Primary Sector Rare Returns

Rare Returns: the state of NZ’s red meat sector

NZ’s red meat price rebounds, but cracks in the system are hard to ignore.

Riley Kennedy 13 Oct 2025