BRIAN GAYNOR: Hart hits the jackpot again while Watson flounders

BRIAN GAYNOR: Hart hits the jackpot again while Watson flounders
Brian Gaynor
It’s hard to believe but 20 years ago a major debate was whether Graeme Hart or Eric Watson would be New Zealand’s next business megastar.At the beginning of 2000, when Hart was 44 and Watson 40, they had both made their first $100 million and were in a mad rush to acquire further assets.It was a particularly interesting contest because the two rising stars had humble backgrounds. Hart had been a panel beater and tow truck driver in Auckland while Watson had been an apprentice butcher and office supplies sales rep in Christchurch.They were neck...

More Opinion

The reasonable terms of the methane debate
Opinion

Adrian Macey and Dave Frame: The reasonable terms of the methane debate

Promoting methane reduction policies that would make the world warmer make no sense.

Hopium is not a strategy
Opinion

Dileepa Fonseka: Hopium is not a strategy

Unjustified optimism is everywhere, and it’s not helping.

Your mid-year investment health check
Markets

Simon Robertson: Your mid-year investment health check

What should you really be looking for from your fundie? 

Simon Robertson 05 Jul 2025
Cleantech: Burst bubble or our biggest opportunity?
Opinion

Peter Griffin: Cleantech: Burst bubble or our biggest opportunity?

A thriving cleantech sector could be NZ’s ticket to a sustainable, high-value economy.

Peter Griffin 02 Jul 2025