Huljich family
| Company type | Private family business |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real estate, startups, financial services, film production, philanthropy |
| Founder | Peter S Huljich (deceased) |
| Headquarters | Auckland , New Zealand |
| Products | Various business ventures including food manufacturing (Top Hat Bacon/Best Corporation), wealth management (Huljich Wealth Management), private equity investments (Christopher and Banks Limited), film production, and charitable activities |
| Owner | Huljich family |
The Huljich family is a wealthy Auckland-based family from New Zealand, whose net worth was estimated at a minimum of NZD$444 million in 2021 following the disposal of their shares in Pushpay for that sum. Their business portfolio spans various sectors, including real estate, startups, financial services, film production, and charitable activities. The family traces its origins to Croatian heritage.
Family
The family’s founding figure was Peter S Huljich (deceased), known for his ventures in the restaurant industry and property ownership. His entrepreneurial legacy was inherited by his three sons:
- Christopher Huljich (born 1950), who is married and has four grown children, among them entrepreneurs Jason and Peter Huljich, as well as former Miss New Zealand Rachel Huljich.
- Paul Huljich (born 1952), divorced, father to three adult children including film producer Mark Huljich and musician Simon Spire.
- Michael Huljich (born 1957), married and currently residing in Australia.
Business interests
During the 1980s, the Huljich brothers launched a food manufacturing company initially named Top Hat Bacon, focusing on pork products and smallgoods. This enterprise expanded into Best Corporation, becoming a leading entity in New Zealand’s processed meat industry with substantial operations in Australia. In the late 1990s, they divested Best Corporation to French conglomerate Groupe Danone and sold off their Australian assets.
After this transaction, each brother embarked on individual business paths:
Christopher Huljich and his son Peter founded Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) in 2007. The firm experienced rapid expansion but encountered investment management challenges, leading to its sale to Fisher Funds Limited for $20.9 million in 2011. Subsequently, the Securities Commission imposed a penalty of $239,000 plus legal fees on the company.
Paul Huljich has authored multiple books addressing mental health and recovery themes, including "Betrayal of Love and Freedom," and currently delivers lectures worldwide on managing depression.
Mark Huljich (son of Paul) has produced children’s films inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s "Treasure Island," featuring American actor Randy Quaid.
Christopher and Peter Huljich have invested through their private equity firm Christopher and Banks Limited—where John Banks serves as managing partner—in numerous startups and technology ventures. A prominent investment includes "Pushpay," a digital platform designed to facilitate charitable donations. Both Peter and Christopher held directorship roles. In July 2020, they divested a block of shares valued at $120 million (approximately 5% of Pushpay), while retaining about 15% ownership after the sale.
Pushpay insider trading conviction
In 2022, Peter Huljich faced insider trading charges brought by the Financial Markets Authority (New Zealand). Eliot Crowther, co-founder of Pushpay, had informed Huljich—then serving as general manager—of his plans to resign and sell shares. Huljich exploited this confidential information for personal financial benefit prior to the public disclosure of Crowther’s departure. He received a sentence involving community detention along with a $100,000 fine, which was subsequently increased to $200,000 by the Court of Appeal.
Philanthropy
The Huljich family founded the Huljich Foundation, a charitable trust dedicated to supporting seriously ill children by arranging meaningful experiences selected by the children themselves for enjoyment with their families.
Family Dispute
In 2014, Elizabeth Huljich initiated legal proceedings in the High Court against her son Christopher, seeking repayment of a mortgage linked to her St Heliers residence. Christopher contested the allegation. The conflict was resolved towards the end of 2018 when the judge rejected several of Elizabeth’s claims and granted Christopher $650,000 in legal costs, describing her case as "vexatious and frivolous."
See also
- Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) Ltd
- List of people educated at St Peter's College, Auckland
- Paul Huljich