KOTZIKAS family

Kypros Kotzikas emigrated to New Zealand as an 18-year-old from the Cypriot village of Palaichori in 1962.

He initially worked in his brother's Aranui fish shop before venturing into the wholesale fishing industry in 1968. That has grown into Kypros owning 51% of United Fisheries – one of New Zealand's top 10 seafood companies.

United employs 200 people and owns deep sea and inshore quota as well as several mussel farms, oyster licences and crayfish quota.

In addition to company-owned and operated fishing vessels, United operates a fleet of refrigerated trucks, which distribute product from a state-of-the art processing facility in Christchurch.

Kypros has a seat on the board. However, the 74-year-old has left the day-to-day running to his four sons, Andre, Demetrios, Emelios and Kyriakos, who have the remaining 49% divided equally between them.

Kotzikas retired in 2014 and devotes his time to his passion of harness racing, which is run from Lavros Lodge, his 33ha property on the outskirts of Christchurch.  He was also part of a group of residents who banded together to fight plans for a new quarry in Yaldhurst, two kilometres away from his property. 

2018: $90 million