Though their patriarch appears to have had a bit of a quiet year, the Pye family empire continues to wield its enormous influence in New Zealand and across the Tasman.
Headed by “spud king” Alan Pye, the Pye family has extensive holdings in powerful, and lucrative, agribusiness concerns. Alan himself, who is worth more than $600 million by his own estimate, has majority holdings in leading potato growers Zerella Fresh and Parilla Premium Potatoes.
Son Mark is the managing director of South Australia-based Zerella Fresh, and in May was named South Australian Grower of the Year. Judges commended his successful business practices, his use of new technologies and dedication to the state’s growing industry.
Temuka-based Pye Group, owned by Leighton and Michelle Pye, continues to play a prominent role in the agricultural contracting, dairy, and cropping and grazing industries. Michelle, who joined Fonterra’s shareholder council in 2016, was recently named part of the cooperative’s newly created Sustainability Advisory Panel.
Dean and Phillipa also have their own interests through the Pye Produce and Berry Farm Ltd.
Alan, who left school at 15 to work on a farm, also has a wide variety of property holdings on both sides of the Tasman for cropping, potatoes and dairy. They include Oceanview dairy farm near Timaru, which he owns with Leanne and Hori Hollever.
He also owns Tasmania’s largest farm, the 22,000ha Rushy Lagoon. The farm was expected to sell for around $70m when Pye put it on the market early last year. However, he has since decided to keep the property, after striking a deal with American energy company UPC, who want to build a windfarm on the site.
Progress is also crawling along on another of his business deals, this one closer to home. Pye and former son-in-law Alan Booth bought the Hydro Grand Hotel site in Timaru, with the intention of building a $42m redevelopment featuring offices, a hotel and an apartment complex. While that development is still on the cards, a variety of holdups have slowed progress and it now appears it won’t be started until next year.
Photo: Ashburton Guardian
2018: $500 million