Initially propelled by Sir Clifford Skeggs’ irrepressible personality, the Skeggs family continues to be heavily involved in a range of economic initiatives throughout the South Island.
Over the years the group has branched out from its beginnings in the fishing industry, and now has extensive interests in the South Island’s tourism and wine industries as well. It all stems from Sir Clifford – or, simply, Cliff – the self-made “boy from the Bluff” who began the business in 1958 to capitalise on the growing lobster industry. A pioneer in deepwater fishing, the group expanded to include everything from aviation to deer recovery. (Ever intrepid, Sir Clifford once jumped out of a helicopter on to the back of a live, trapped deer. It promptly hurled him into several feet of snow.)
Sir Clifford was mayor of Dunedin from 1977 until 1989, a role that saw him rub shoulders with dignitaries while also continuing his business interests. Once, during a workers’ strike, he went straight from an after-dinner mayoral function to one of his oyster boats, sailing the boat while family members helped take in the day’s catch. He was knighted in 1987.
Skeggs Group’s fishing business is now largely tied to Barnes Oysters, in which it holds a 14.29% shareholding. These days the group is arguably more heavily involved in tourism. It’s behind the Southern Discoveries company that operates boat trips in Queenstown and the Marlborough Sound – the company’s applied to the Department of Conservation to lease land at Milford Sound, in Fiordland National Park, to build accommodation for up to 65 staff. It also operates boats on the Shotover River, and owns the luxurious Milford Lodge, where rates for the chalet suite appear to hover between $545 and $849 per night.
The family is also behind Akarua, the largest family-owned vineyard in Central Otago. Established in 1996, the site covers 120ha and five vineyards. It regularly takes out prestigious wine awards; most recently, in March, it won a gold medal for its 2017 pinot noir at the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards. It once took out the Champion Pinot Noir prize for its pinot noir at the New Zealand International Wine Show for three years in a row. The vineyard’s proprietor is Sir Clifford’s son, David.
Through the Skeggs Foundation, the family has provided financial support to Otago athletes since 1993, including Olympic Games participants and winners Alison Shanks and Hamish Bond. Fuel bought on a Skeggs Mobilcard also raises funds for the foundation’s annual grant scheme.
Sir Clifford is now semi-retired in Wanaka, leaving the family’s business interests to sons David, Bryan and Graeme.
2018: $190 million