Children’s theatre in New Zealand was given a firmer footing last year thanks to Guy and Sue Haddleton.
The couple arranged benefactors, including two other Rich Listers, to give to the National Youth Theatre Company charitable trust.
Sue says the theatre can give kids skills and confidence they had not had before, enabling children to express themselves.
“It’s about finding their voice,” she says.
Guy made his fortune through spreadsheet software firm Adaytum, which he founded in 1990 and sold for $US160 million in 2013. Since then he has been involved with crime fighting software Wynyard Group, which collapsed into liquidation when he was chairman.
A more promising prospect for the Haddletons is San Francisco-based Anaplan, which was valued at $1.4 billion in its December 2017 funding round. Guy founded the business management software company in 2007.
The couple lives in a $9.7 million home in Takapuna, Auckland.